GORDON, Charles George

Charles Gordon was born in Kingstown, Ireland, the son of a British Naval Officer, and educated in England and Scotland. At the outbreak of the First World War he was a Grazier and Stock and Station Agent at Inverell. He had been President of the Macintyre Shire Council from 1907 to 1912.

As the Area Officer at Inverell, as well as a member of the New England Light Horse, he was responsible for recruiting the first group of local men for War service. These men departed Inverell in August 1914. The following month he was promoted to Major and sailed from Australia on the transport ship A23 Suffolk with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry. After arrival in Egypt he was appointed Commander of A Company.

Major Gordon was killed in action at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. He was married and had a twelve year old son. He had also served during the Boer War in South Africa, receiving the Queen's Medal with five clasps.

His name is inscribed on the Nullamanna Honor Roll, the Inverell Cenotaph and on The Inverell Club Honour Roll. When the memorial Kurrajong trees were planted in the park beside the Glen Innes road, the first tree placed at the top of the hill was for Major Gordon.

Photo: Australian War Memorial image PO8936.001