BRANFORD, Gordon John
| Service Number: | SX3355 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 May 1940, Wayville, SA |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | London, England, 11 November 1918 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Natural causes, Adelaide, South Australia, 24 July 2018, aged 99 years |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 23 May 1940: | Involvement SX3355, 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 May 1940: | Enlisted Wayville, SA | |
| 23 May 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX3355, 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion | |
| 25 Jul 1942: | Discharged | |
| 25 Jul 1942: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX3355, 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion |
Notes from Gordon Branford's Funeral Service
Gordon Branford was born on Armistice Day 1918 in London. His family came to Australia when he was two and he had two sisters. He was very private and all that is known about him was what he told his friends and carers.
As a young man he sailed the world and had a particular fondness for Peru. He enlisted in the AIF and served in Syria with the 2/27th Infantry Battalion. Several years after the war he was employed by Penfold’s Wines at Magill and worked there for 35 years. He lived with his mother at Woodville then built a home at Paradise.
Gordon travelled extensively and had a love for the American Wild West era. His latter years were lived in The Homestead Nursing Home, Walkley Heights, South Australia where he is fondly remembered by his carer and staff. They described him as a gentleman who was easy to care for and get along with. He enjoyed outings, especially trips to the Adelaide Hills.
Submitted 8 August 2018 by Keith Harrison
Biography contributed by Keith Harrison
Funeral Eulogy by Keith Harrison, RSL SA Commemorations Manager
Ladies and gentlemen I am honoured to say some words about Gordon Bamford’s military service. Little is known of his service record but his battalion was famous.
It is particularly poignant that his birth on 11th November 1918 is a link to Armistice Day, marking the end of The Great War, when the guns fell silent. On that day his family would have been joyed by his birth and the whole world joyed at the end of the war.
Gordon enlisted into the Australian Army on 23rd May 1940. He was posted to the 2/27th Australian Infantry Battalion as a Private and trained at Woodside Camp. The battalion sailed for Egypt in October 1940, arriving in November where they strengthened defences against the German forces.
In June-July 1941 the battalion fought against the Vichy French in the Syrian Campaign, capturing towns and installations. In December 1941 Japan entered the war and the 2/27th returned to Australia, arriving in March 1942 after the Japanese Bombing of Darwin.
The battalion completed jungle training in Queensland. Gordon discharged in July 1942. The battalion went to New Guinea and was involved in fierce fighting on the Kokoda Track at Mission Hill and Brigade Hill. The 2/27th was off the Kokoda Track and missing for two weeks before making its way back to Australian lines, under the command of Lieutenant Geoff Cooper of the Cooper’s Brewery family. Then followed more fighting at the northern beachhead of Gona and in the Ramu Valley at Shaggy Ridge. Then the last campaign of the war at Balikpapan, Borneo in July 1945.
Gordon Branford enlisted early in the Second World War, aged 21, with service number SX3355. He put on a soldier’s uniform and served to bring peace to the world.
Irish statesman Edmund Burke said “All it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.” Gordon Branford was a good man who did something.
Rest easy Digger, your duty is done.
Keith Harrison 8/8/2018
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