Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Gordon was only 17 years 7 months old when he died. His family epitaph reads- LIFE'S HIGHEST MISSION HE FULFILLED, AND BRAVELY ANSWERED DUTY'S CALL.

Hopetoun Courier 28 May 1915.

More than ordinarily bad luck has attended the family of Mr. A.Power, of Birchip, since the war broke out. Four of his sons enlisted. Charles Power succumbed to an attack of pneumonia at sea, whilst on the way to Egypt. Alfred T. Power is reported as having been wounded in the fighting against Turkey, where W. Power is also engaged. Gordon Power became ill at Broadmeadows recently and he was allowed four days leave from Camp. He took the train for the purpose of visiting his parents at Birchip. He collapsed at St. Arnaud and was taken on to Birchip in a dying condition, living only 24 hours after his arrival. His death was duo to pneumonia septicemia. As he lay dying, he assured the Church of England minister that if he got well, he would be "into it" again. The condition of the encampment at Broadmeadows since the heavy rain is described as something awful.

Gordon's brother 821 Pte. Charles William Power 11th Battalion AIF died of pneumonia at sea 11 November 1914, age 19. 

His other brothers: 467 Pte. Alfred Thomas Power 5th Machine Gun Bn, returned to Australia,23 July 1918 with his leg amputated at the thigh and was consequently discharged on medical grounds on 11th November 1918;

1515 Pte Walter James Power 45th Battalion AIF was  returned to Australia for "family reasons", in that he had had 2 brothers killed, and one incapicitated, 15 September 1918.

Birchip Advertiser 26 May 1915.

Obituary Gordon Power.

"Quite a gloom was cast over the town on Sunday morning when it became known that Gordon Power son of Mr. and Mrs. Power, of Birchip and a member of, the Australian Expeditionary Force had passed away during the night. Deceased arrived from Broadmeadows camp by Friday night's train, and after consulting Dr Leo Atkinson went into the local private hospital where it was found that he was suffering from pneumonia and very little hope was entertained for his recovery, and as stated above the young soldier passed away at the age of 18 years. The last remains of the deceased were accorded a military funeral on Monday, when the members of the Birchip Rifle Club and the Scouts marched to the graveside. As the coffin was lowered into the grave a salute was fired by members of the Rifle Club. The deepest sympathy is felt for the bereaved family who have had more than their share of misfortune lately. Of the four sons who volunteered for service of the Empire, one died on the voyage to Egypt from pneumonia another was wounded in active service at the Dardanelles, and now on top of that comes the death of the youngest son of the family. Much comment has been occasioned locally by the fact that the deceased was permitted by the military authorities to travel from Broadmeadows to Birchip while suffering from such a dread disease."