Juno Company, new award honouring William Gosling VC

Major Andy Emery, the Officer Commanding Juno Company, has recently introduced a new award for the company, honouring Maj William Gosling VC.

The award consists of an engraved, spent Artillery Cartridge, generously donated by The Royal Artillery.

Juno Company has cadets and detachments, who are badged as Rifles, Royal Tank Regiment, and The Royal Artillery. Each regiment supports them in various ways.

Maj Luke Wadman of the Royal Artillery, also a former cadet in Wiltshire ACF, collaborated with Staff Sergeant Instructor Chrissy Hinde to coordinate this esteemed award. Additionally, William Gosslings grandson was due to be at the first presentation, but sadly due to ill health was unable to attend.

The inaugural recipient of the "Gosling Award" is Staff Cadet Sgt Major Creasey-Cottle.

William Gosling VC

William Gosling, born in Wanborough, Wiltshire, was one of four children to farmer Albert Gosling and his wife Elizabeth. After attending the village school, he joined his father as a wheat farmer. Upon his father's tragic passing in a farming accident, the family moved to Wroughton. There, Elizabeth, with the help of William and his two older brothers, managed Artis Farm as tenants.

At the age of 18 he emigrated to Canada.

After the outbreak of the First World War, he covered the cost of his journey back home and joined the 3rd Wessex Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. On May 6, 1915, he left for France, where his unit was assigned to the 51st (Highland) Division, based close to Arras.

During the lead-up to the Battle of Arras on April 5, 1917, Sergeant Gosling was responsible for several heavy trench mortars. A bomb was launched from a Stokes Mortar belonging to Sergeant Gosling's battery. His Victoria Cross (VC) citation, published in The London Gazette in June 1917, states the following:

Victoria Cross (VC) citation

For most conspicuous bravery when in charge of a heavy trench mortar.

Owing to a faulty cartridge the bomb, after discharge, fell 10 yards from the mortar.

Sgt Gosling sprang out, lifted the nose of the bomb, which had sunk into the ground, unscrewed the fuse and threw it on the ground, where it immediately exploded.

This very gallant and prompt action undoubtedly saved the lives of the whole detachment.

For this action he was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) and was presented with the award by King George V outside Buckingham Palace on 21 July 1917.

After returning from the war, Gosling went back to his hometown of Wroughton to manage Summerhouse Farm. He held the position of vice-president at the Wroughton branch of the Royal British Legion and served as a Parish Councillor for 14 years from 1922 to 1936.

Throughout World War II, this decorated war veteran served as a Major in the Home Guard.

Gosling dedicated his life to managing his dairy farm in Wroughton.

In 2017, a dedication ceremony was held in Wroughton, where the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire revealed a commemorative stone provided by DCLG.