Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

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Freeman William James Gordon

Born 1891 Franklin Tasmania the son of Edward James and Agnes Mary Freeman (nee Thorp) a student at the School of Mines Sydney he enlisted and embarked Sydney on board “HMAT Suffolk” with the 2^nd Infantry Battalion.

He was killed in action 25^th April 1915 on the Gallipoli Peninsula and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey.

The following letter has been received by Mr. E. J. Freeman of Franklin from Corporal R. W. Danley regarding his son the late Private Gordon Freeman :

"Dear Mr. Freeman, I am writing to you a letter I have intended to do several times but have felt a little sensitive over it for reasons apparent but now I feel that anything I can tell you about Gordon you will appreciate. About his short period of fighting on the Peninsula I can say very little, though I have tried all I could to find out about him. Dear old Gordon, he was one of my best mates all through our training, and we always managed to be in the same tent of which he was the very life, his bright, cheery nature making everyone very fond of him ; a more popular chap there was not in the whole battalion. Gordon and I chummed up from the very first. The chats we used to have of an evening while on the “Suffolk” I can never forget, and many an episode in his life, his sentiments, and many other valued confidences did he impart to me. I discovered a naturally beautiful and clever mind and a chap I could always love if he had only been spared but whose memory is even dearer to mc now. In the landing we were separated, as the 7th and 8th platoons, under Major Scobie were taken to some place which needed reinforcing, while I, being corporal of signallers had to stay with Major Burke. As far as I could find out, they were put to it straight away. The only information I could get was that Gordon carried Sergeant Hobden to safety and then took command himself as all officers and N.C.O.'s were out of action. That is all. I myself survived the landing and lasted till Lone Pine, when I received two bullet wounds, one in the head and another in the left shoulder which have brought me back to Australia. Now, sir, I will close this letter, telling you the feeling I have for the loss of such a noble life, and extending to you all, his mother, brothers, and sisters and fiancee-the deepest measure of sympathy by this short memoir."

The Mercury 12^th January 1917

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.