'How Captain W E Gordon (Gordon Highlanders) won his Victoria Cross', 1900

Cigarette card published by Morris and Sons Limited, from a set entitled, 'Boer War, 1900', celebrating recipients of the Victoria Cross of the Boer War (1899-1902), 1900 (c).

Captain William Gordon attaches a rope to a field gun, Krugersdorp, South Africa, 1900.

Captain (later Colonel) William Eagleson Gordon (1866-1941) served in the Tirah campaign on the North West Frontier of India in 1897. Gordon served as adjutant for the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders during the Boer War (1899-1902). He was wounded at Magersfontein on 11 December 1899. Gordon was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry during an action near Krugersdorp on 11 July 1900, where, under heavy enemy fire, he led an attempt to save a field gun.

Cigarette cards were produced from the mid 1870s until the end of World War Two (1939-1945). Used to strengthen thin cigarette packs the cards were quickly developed into advertising devices. Series of cards covering every conceivable subject, from sportsmen to flora and fauna, were produced to encourage collectors and potential smokers alike.