Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Gordon Louis Topperwien
Born: 31 May 1887
Died: 30 Dec 1960

Gordon was born at Dry Creek, South Australia. He married Susan Ettie Scroop and they had no children. He worked in the tramways as a conductor then as an examiner. He also worked for St Johns Ambulance prior to WW1.
Gordon enlisted in the Australian Army during the first World War on 27th July, 1915 and served in the 3rd Field Ambulance which nominally consisted of 120 men, including officers. That unit included John Simpson Fitzpatrick of “Simpson and his donkey” fame. The 3rd Field Ambulance was part of the first Australian Division and was the first field ambulance to set up a Field Hospital on ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli. Gordon was one of the last men to leave ANZAC Cove when it was evacuated. Later he served in France and Belgium and rose to the rank of acting Sergeant (his substantive position was that of Lance Corporal). He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery during the third battle of Ypres, at Glencorse Wood in 1971. In the Official War History, in volume 4, at page 784 part of the action for which Gordon was awarded the Military Medal is described as follows:
“.. the records show that it was the German heavy artillery that inflicted loss. Its fire was severe in the back area but organisation was hardly interfered with. Medical work went on without interruption. This is constantly recorded with admiration. Major W.W.S. Johnston (attached 12th Battalion) , when his aid post near Glencourse Wood became full, carried on in the open until severely wounded. The devotion of Major S.V. Appleyard (attached 10th Battalion) and of the medical officer of the 25th Battalion (Capt. F.L. Bignell) is particularly mentioned. Of the letter Sgt J.R. Edwards of the sister battalion wrote: ‘He and his plucky corporal were out in the shell fire succouring all the wounded they could find. I never met a doctor who wasn’t game and this chap was one of the best.”

In the book “The Body Snatchers: The History of the 3rd Field Ambulance 1914-1918” Gordon is mentioned on page 107.
“Stories abound regarding the gallantry of the bearers of the 3rd Field Ambulance during the September offensive at Ypres. The retaliation by the German artillery meant that all bearers were constantly subjected to the shell fire while bringing in the wounded. A typical bearer NCO was Lance Corporal Gordon Topperwien, who remained on duty from the commencement of the attack until relieved on the morning of the 23rd. “

Gordon had previously been recommended for the Belgian bravery award, the ‘Decoration Militaire’ for his bravery during the Battle of Pozieres in 1916.
In the book “The Body Snatchers: The History of the 3rd Field Ambulance 1914-1918” Gordon is mentioned on page 78 and 79.
“On 19thAugust, Lance Corporal Gordon Topperwien was in charge of a squad carrying wounded from the Gibraltar strong point back to the Chalk Pit. On this occasion a heavy shell landed close by killing Private Alan Fuller and wounding another man. Despite being very badly shaken by the explosion, Topperwien picked up his patient who had been flung from the stretcher and returned to the collecting post. Although he was still suffering from the effects of the explosion, Topperwien remained on duty despite the contrary advice of Captain Sawers, his untiring Bearer Officer.’

He returned to Australia on 11 May, 1919.
Gordon was a Freemason. He spent his last years at the ‘Home for Incurables’ (became known as the Julia Farr Centre) after a stroke. He died on 30 December 1960, aged 73 years.
Gordon is buried at the West Tce Cemetery with his wife Ettie. His medals were buried with him.