The following biography was supplied by Michael Ward:

"Gordon Robert Bain
27 February 1893 — 25 July 1983
Sergeant. Second Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery. Serial no. 2/205.

Gordon Robert Bain was born on 27 February 1893 in Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand, the seventh of fourteen children born to Andrew and Annie Bain (née Swallow). Gordon’s father, Andrew Bain, was a builder, businessman, politician, and was elected Mayor of Invercargill (1923–1927).

Gordon was working as a builder with his brothers when he enlisted on 18 August 1914. Gordon’s medical details are recorded as apparent age: 21 years; height: 5 feet 9 inches; weight: 143 lbs; chest: 33½–37 inches; complexion: fresh; eyes: grey; hair: dark brown; religion: Methodist; and next-of-kin: Andrew and Annie Bain, 55 Morton Road, Georgetown, Invercargill. (Source: Military Personnel File)

Gordon embarked with the Main Body from Lyttelton on HMNZT 7: Limerick arriving at Suez, Egypt, on 4 December 1914. Gordon served with the 2nd Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery, under the command of Major F.B. Sykes. He served through the Gallipoli campaign, from 26 April, when the artillery landed at Anzac Cove, to 16 September 1915, when he was evacuated to St David’s Hospital, Malta, with dysentery. Two weeks later, while still in hospital, Gordon was diagnosed with malaria and was sent on to England for further treatment. Gordon was admitted to Walton-on-Thames Hospital on 4 October and discharged to Woodcote Park on 15 November 1915.

He returned to active service in Egypt on 16 February 1916.

On 1 March 1916 he was promoted to Battery Sergeant-Major (BSM) and appointed Warrant Officer Second Class on 5 April 1916. Two days later, on 7 April 1916, the company embarked from Alexandria for France and the Somme.

On 27 August 1916, Gordon was apprehended in Liercourt and charged with drunkenness, neglecting to obey an order (being absent from his billet without a pass after 9pm) and inciting a fight. He was reduced to the rank of Private.

On 25 September 1916, at Flers, Gordon received a gunshot wound to his left foot and was evacuated to England, where he spent the rest of 1916. On recovery, he became an instructor at Aldershot. On 15 February 1918, he was promoted to temporary Warrant Officer, Class II, (confirmed 21 July 1918), and was posted to the 2nd Battery in the Field. On 15 October 1918, Gordon was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for acts of Gallantry in the Field:

“While ammunition wagons were being unloaded at a forward gun position, it was suddenly subjected to very heavy fire. His horse was killed under him and many team horses were killed and wounded; the drivers of one team were thrown by the force of the explosion and their team broke away. He stopped them and, his officer having become a casualty, took charge, dumped the ammunition and cleared the column. He returned alone and destroyed all the hopelessly injured horses. He set a magnificent example of coolness and courage.” (Source: London Gazette, 5 December 1918, p14464.)

On 1 January 1919, Gordon was detached to the UK and sailed for New Zealand on 8 March 1919 on the ‘Willochra,’ arriving in Wellington on 15 April. He was discharged from service on 14 May 1919." AWMM