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Cenotaph record

Albert William Gordon

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Portrait, Auckland Weekly News, 1917 - No known copyright restrictions

Portrait, Auckland Weekly News, 1917 - No known copyright restrictions

Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Albert William AWMM
  • Surname
    Gordon AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi
  • Hapū
  • Waka
  • Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    AWMM
  • Date of birth
    10 February 1888 Public - David - Researcher - 6 March 2023 - Article 'From Thames to the Trenches' Roger Strong
  • Place of birth
    Thames Public - David - Researcher - 6 March 2023 - Article 'From Thames to the Trenches' Roger Strong
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    WW1 Unknown AWMM Flying School, Kohimarama, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
  • Relationship status
    Unknown AWMM Single/WWI AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
  • Campaign
    1914-1919 Western Front AWMM
  • Armed force / branch
  • Service number
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards

Training and Enlistment

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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
    Died of wounds, Cause of Death AWMM
    Died of injuries received in aerial combat. Flying De Havillands. Admitted to No. 20 General Hospital in Camiers on 30 July 1917 with a simple fracture of the right thigh and a simple fracture of the left leg. History was that his machine was damaged by enemy fire, he managed to land in our lines but sustained the injuries in doing so. His progress was satisfactory until August 12 when he suddenly became very ill, and died at 3.45 pm. Death due to an embolism (clot in the heart). AWMM

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Albert Gordon was the son of L.W. and M. Gordon, of 88 Pollen Street, Thames.

    Gordon was the first New Zealand Flying school graduate to lose his life on active service.

    "Particulars have been received by Mr. L. W. Gordon, of Thames, of the death of his son, Flight-Lieutenant A. W. Gordon, who died on August 12, of wounds. Flight-Lieutenant Cook, D.C.M., writes to the effect that 'Lieutenant Gordon, with two other British scout pilots, attacked ten enemy aeroplanes, and was successful in bringing one down, when an accident to his machine resulted in his having both legs broken. He was taken to a military hospital, but his injuries unexpectedly proved fatal 13 days afterwards.' Lieutenant Gordon obtained his first flying experience at the New Zealand Flying School at Kohimarama." (AWN, 1 November 1917, p. 22)

    Commissioned Second Lieutenant 20 June 1917 AWMM
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Death

About death

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  • Death
    12 August 1917 AWMM
    Age 29 AWMM
    France, Europe AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
    Died of wounds AWMM
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France AWMM XVII.D.26. AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
    Obituary: Auckland Weekly News, 1 November 1917, p. 22

    AUCKLAND AVIATOR’S DEATH
    Flight Lieutenant A. W. Gordon mortally wounded.

    Sincere regret was expressed throughout Auckland when it became known that Flight Lieutenant Albert W. Gordon had, on August 12, succumbed to serious wounds received whilst engaged in an aerial combat in France on July 30. Both legs were badly fractured in the battle in question, and despite his painful wounds Flight Lieutenant Gordon, who was immediately transferred to a hospital in France, lingered for thirteen days, when death took place. Deceased who was a son of Mr. F. W. Gordon of Thames, was highly esteemed in business and sporting circles in Auckland, his genial disposition and sportsmanlike qualities endearing him to a wide circle of friends. He was engaged in the building profession prior to enlisting in the aviation branch of the service at the Kohimarama Flying School, and had designed and built many private residences around Auckland, being recognised as one of the leading builders of the northern city.

    The late Flight Lieutenant Gordon was prominently associated with racing and trotting, taking a keen interest in both of these sports. He was well known as the owner of the trotters Huia and John Dillon, both of which horses carried his colours to victory. He was a member of the Auckland Gun Club, and on frequent occasions gave demonstrations of his excellent marksmanship. He also excelled at swimming and acted as runner up to Mr Whitehead in the cross harbour swim from Northcote to Shelly Beach. Always generous to a degree, with a warm heart and ready sympathy, the late Albert Gordon was beloved by a wide circle of acquaintances, among whom his death is universally regretted, and sincere sympathy is to be extended to his relatives at the loss of so popular and noble a citizen and soldier, who has sacrificed everything in the interests of his country. AWMM
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name
    Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 1 Hall of Memories AWMM

Roll of Honour

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  • Notes for Cenotaph – Memorabilia Held by MRNZ
    ARE YOU A DIRECT DESCENDANT OF THIS PERSON ?
    MEDALS REUNITED NEW ZEALAND© is a Nelson NZ based FREE service dedicated to re-uniting named medals and items of military ephemera with family or a descendant.

    We are currently holding a medal named to this Veteran.

    To place a CLAIM or make an INQUIRY please contact us:

    * Mobile027-940-4495 (24hrs)
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    * Emailmedalsreunitednz@gmail.com
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    Or ... you can use the “CONTACT US” Form on the MRNZ website: www.medalsreunitednz.co.nz

    MRNZ is a free voluntary service – 100% not-for-profit – no fees or charges.

    IF YOU HAVE A NAMED MEDAL OR ITEM OF MILITARY EPHEMERA YOU WOULD LIKE TO RETURN TO THE FAMILY, WE CAN HELP YOU – PLEASE CONTACT US.

    Public - Ian - Researcher - 5 May 2023
    Report 
  • I have purchased his war medal in U.k. and would like to contact family who made contribution in 2017
    Public - David - Researcher - 6 March 2023
    Report 

Sources

Sources

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Contributors

Command item
Command item
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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
11 May 2023KelvinNorfo;lk, EnglandResearcher
05 May 2023IanNelsonResearcher
06 March 2023DavidBASINGSTOKEResearcher

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