GPS: 29 deg 53 min 9.13 sec S, 30 deg 58 min 38.38 sec E
Significance
Robert Vaughan Gorle was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the attack on Ledeghem in Belgium during the First World War.
The Citation, recorded in the London Gazette 13 December 1918, Supplement: 31067, Page: 14775, reads:
"T/Lt. Robert Vaughan Gorle, A Bty, 50th Bde, R.F.A.
For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty during the attack on Ledeghem on 1st October 1918, when in command of an 18-pdr. gun working in close conjunction with infantry.
He brought his gun into action in the most exposed positions on four separate occasions and disposed of enemy machine guns by firing over open sights under direct machine-gun fire at 500 to 600 yards range.
Later, seeing that the infantry were being driven back by intense hostile fire, he, without hesitation, galloped his gun in front of the leading
infantry, and on two occasions knocked out enemy machine guns which were causing the trouble.
His disregard of personal safety and dash were a magnificent example to the wavering line, which rallied and re-took the northern end of the village."
His grave is inscribed:
CAPTAIN R.V. GORLE VC A BATTERY ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY DIED 11th JANUARY 1937 AGED 40 YEARS ERECTED BY THE EXSERVICEMEN OF DURBAN