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Cenotaph record

Harry John Gordon Low

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Harry John Gordon AWMM
  • Surname
    Low AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    • 13251 AWMM
    • Malaya 30071 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    27 April 1919 AWMM Nelson, Tasman AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    • Unknown AWMM 27 Brook Street, Nelson, New Zealand AWMM
    • Unknown AWMM 27 Brook Street, Nelson, New Zealand AWMM
    • Jayforce Unknown AWMM 27 Brook Street, Nelson, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
    Regular soldier/Civilian AWMM
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    • Mrs E.M. Low (mother), 27 Brook Street, Nelson, New Zealand AWMM
    • Mrs Y.O. Low (wife), 7 Bronte Street, Nelson, New Zealand AWMM
    • Jayforce Mrs Y.O. Low (wife), 7 Bronte Street, Nelson, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status

Service

Wars and conflicts

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Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) AWMM
      DSO citation: "In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Malaya during the period 1st July to 31st December 1954. Lieutenant Colonel Low has commanded the 1st Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment, since 1st October 1953. During this time, his Battalion has had a record of achievement against the Communist terrorists in Malaya that is second to none. But for the outstanding leadership, drive and acumen of its Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Low, this could never have happened. He has had many difficulties to contend with. First, there is the crafty and treacherous nature of the enemy. In combating this, Lieutenant Colonel Low has shown himself indomitable. Cool in council, swift in action and undaunted in danger, he is a magnificent man of action and an inspiration to all about him. Next, there has been a complete turn-over of the rank and file of his Battalion, and a large proportion of the officers, during the year. Under a lesser man, in these circumstances, the Battalion may have faltered. But Lieutenant Colonel Low, almost single-handed, preserved the soul of his Battalion and inspired the new drafts of officers and men with his own enthusiasm and dash. Finally, the Fijians were serving thousands of miles from their native soil, many of them separated from their homes and families for the first time and without having behind them any long traditions of overseas service. Again, due to the unfailing leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Low, morale remained as high as ever, the rank and file being contented, happy and successful. Through these vicissitudes, Lieutenant Colonel Low's inspiration and leadership have been quite outstanding, and but for this, his Battalion could never have succeeded as it has done. He has displayed the highest qualities of leadership in the best traditions of New Zealand's famous fighting men." (London Gazette, 31 May 1955) AWMM
    • Military Cross (MC) AWMM
      21 June 1945 AWMM
      The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Low, Henry John Gordon. (Ref. WO 373/12/652). Military Cross. AWMM
    • 1939-1945 Star AWMM
    • Africa Star (8th Army clasp) AWMM
    • Italy Star AWMM
    • Defence Medal AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 with oak leaf AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
    • General Service Medal 1918-62 (Malaya clasp) AWMM
    • Efficiency Decoration (ED) AWMM
    • Sultan Ibrahim Diamond Jubilee Medal (Malaysia) AWMM
    • New Zealand Operational Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW2 Unknown AWMM Clerk AWMM
    Nelson, Tasman AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes
    Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWII AWMM
    Wounded 5 November 1942 AWMM

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Served as Platoon Commander with 23 Battalion

    Promoted to Major and Company Commander

    Joined Regular Army in 1947 as Major

    Promoted to Lt Colonel and served as Commanding Officer (CO) of 1 Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment, 1953-55

    Served as Director Plans Army HQ, 1957-59

    Served as Director Recruiting in 1959

    Retired in 1961

    Col H. J. G. Low, DSO, MC, ED, m.i.d.; Wellington; born Nelson, 27 Apr 1919; clerk; wounded 5 Nov 1942; Director of Plans, Army HQ, 1957–59; Director of Recruiting, 1959–61. (Source: Kay, R. Italy Volume II : From Cassino to Trieste. p.317.) AWMM
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Death

About death

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  • Death
    2003 AWMM
    AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
  • References
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 3 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1940 to 31st March, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 3: WW2 278 AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 14 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1944 to 31st December, 1944). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 14: WW2 57 AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1950). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 16 (Embarkations from 1st January, 1946 to 30th June, 1948). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 16: WW2 77 AWMM
    • Haigh, J., Polaschek, A. (Eds.). (1993). New Zealand and the Distinguished Service Order. Christchurch, N.Z.: Authors. AWMM
    • Ross, A. (1959). 23 Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
    • Kay, R. (1967). Italy. Volume 2. From Cassino to Trieste. Dept. of Internal Affairs, Historical Publications Branch, Wellington, N.Z. AWMM
      p.317. AWMM
    • FARELF Nominal Roll Part 1 1958-1961 - Archives New Zealand, Wellington, CAJN CH189/Box70 41/4/11 (R21234083) AWMM

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