Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles Stewart Gordon was born in Collingwood, Victoria on the 15th February 1896. He was the eldest child of William Gordon and Mary Ann Duncan. As a single 19-year-old farmer, he joined the 1st A.I.F. on the 12th August 1914, however, he was discharged as medically unfit after 71 days. Undeterred, Charles re-enlisted in the 1st A.I.F. in Melbourne on the 4th March 1915 and following initial training, was assigned to “C” Company – the 24th Infantry Battalion with the rank of Private and his service number was 629. He embarked from Melbourne on 8th May 1915 aboard H M A T “Euripides” for Egypt and the Great War.
After further training in Egypt during July and August of 1916, Charles formed part of the ANZAC force that landed and fought against the Turks at Gallipoli during the Dardanelles campaign. The Battalion arrived at Gallipoli on the 5th September 1915 and the troops received their baptism of fire in the battle of Lone Pine. On the 18th December 1915, Private Gordon received shell wounds to the head and scalp and was evacuated back to Egypt on the 23rd December 1915 aboard “H.M. Dunluce Castle”. After recuperating in Egypt, he rejoinder his Battalion in early 1916.
Charles Gordon and the 24th Battalion then went on to fight in France and the Western Front, fighting with distinction in the major battles at Pozieres, The Somme and Bullecourt. On the 3rd May 1917, Charles receiving gun shot and shell wounds to his back, thorax, right forearm, left hand and arm and a severe right arm fracture. He was evacuated back to England aboard H.M.S. “Pieter De Comick” and was admitted to Princess Christian Hospital, Englefield Green for treatment and recuperation on the 19th May 1917. Charles Gordon was repatriated back to Australia aboard “H.S.” Beltana” on the 18th October 1917 and subsequently discharged as medically unfit for all duties from the 1st A.I.F. on the 15th June 1918.
In the years after the war, Charlie, as he was known, married Agnese May (Massie) Johnstone in 1931. They relocated to Beechworth in 1940 where Charlie gained employment at Mayday Hills Mental Hospital. He worked there as a Charge Nurse until his retirement in 1961. The couple raised four children, Dorothy, Charles (Tom), Gerald and Carol. The latter two children were born in Beechworth. Although Charlie’s war injuries restricted his physical activities, he enjoyed a good post war life and among his interests and enjoyments were fishing, gardening and an occasional punt on the horses.
Charles Gordon died on the 8th February 1964 in Beechworth, aged 67 years. For his war service, Charles has been honoured with a “Commonwealth War Grave” which is located in Roman Catholic Section C – Plot 671 and also the following Service Medals:
• 1914 – 1915 – Star
• British War Medal
• WW1 Victory Medal