| Regimental number | 23/1646 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Whangarei |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Fitter |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 29 |
| Height | 5' 8" |
| Weight | 154 lbs |
| Next of kin | Brother, Douglas Gordon, Abbott's Road, Mount Eden, Auckland |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Trentham |
| Rank on embarkation | Rifleman |
| Unit name | New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 1915, 3rd Reinforcements of 1st Battalion, E Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 38 Tahiti on |
| Final rank | Corporal |
| Final unit | 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 21 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Tyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel No 3), Zonnebeke, Belgium |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Douglas and Susannah Gordon, 28 Abbott's Road, Mount Eden, Auckland |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'British front Neuve Eglise sector opposite Messines - 24th March 1917. Under cover of an intense artillery and Winnenwerfer bombardment, lasting from 4am till 5.10am on the above date, the enemy raided a portion of our front line, about the Wulverghem - Wytscaete Road. Out of a raiding party estimated about 90. Six of the enemy managed to make an entrance, the remainder of them being driven back by Lewis Gun fire and bombs. The men of the 2nd Otago Battalion holding the line displayed the greatest gallantry, endurance and devotion to duty in sticking in their posts under the severest bombardment and driving the enemy back. Corporal W.E. Gordon, a Lewis Machine Gunner, was the first to observe the enemy coming across "No Man's Land". He immediately gave the alarm and turned his gun on the enemy. Throughout the whole bombardment he displayed the greatest coolness, self composure and bravery, he set a splendid example to his men, showing great initiatve and devotion to duty.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 12/2023 Pte Robert Hamilton GORDON, 1st Bn, Auckland Infantry Regiment, killed in action, 7 June 1917. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Wellington, 8 January 1916; disembarked Suez, 8 February 1916. Transferred to 2nd Bn, Otago Infantry Regiment, Moascar Camp, 10 March 1916, and posted to 14th Company. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, France, 9 April 1916. Appointed Lance Corporal (unpaid), in the field, 8 September 1916. Promoted Corporal, 26 September 1916. Wounded in action, 1 October 1916 (gun shot wound, left arm), and admitted to 15th Corps Collecting Station, and transferred same day to 38th Casualty Clearing Station; to No 1 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, 2 October 1916; to No 6 Convalescent Depot, Etaples, 11 October 1916; to Base Depot, Etaples, 14 October 1916; rejoined Bn, in the field, 18 October 1916. Awarded Military Medal. Appointed Lance Sergeant, 14 March 1917. Promoted Sergeant, 20 June 1917. Killed in action, 12 October 1917. War service: 1 year 359 days (of which 1 year 278 days was abroad) Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 16, p. 3 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 16787398 |