Gordon Bishop

Gordon Bishop

Western Mail 4 Oct 1918 page 21
Personal Information
Date of Birth	unknown
Place of Birth	Serpentine, Western Australia
Death	30 Aug 1918
Place of Death	53rd Casualty Clearing Station, France
Age at Enlistment	25 Years, 4 months
Description	5' 10 ½ " (1.79m) tall; weight 136 lbs (61.7 kg); dark complexion grey eyes, dark hair
Occupation	wood working machinist
Religion	Church of England
Address	NOK Anstey street, Mundijong, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Mother Mrs Margaret Bishop
Military Information
Reg Number	1215
Date of Enlistment	19 Jul 1915
Rank	Sergeant
Unit/Formation	32nd Battalion, D Company
Date of Embarkation	28 Nov 1915 - 18 Dec 1915
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A13 Katuna
Fate	Wounded in Action 29 Aug 1918 near Assevillers, France Died of Wounds on 30 Aug 1918.
Monument	Armadale (Beenup panel) Mundijong Canning
Medals	1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

wood working machinist with Millar's Timber & Trading Coy. Brother of 1897 Frederick James Bishop.

War Service

Within a month of commencing his training, Gordon was allocated to D Company of the 32nd Battalion then forming in Perth and Adelaide.

Travelled to Egypt too late for Gallipoli, and entered France through Marseilles on 23 Jun 1916 aboard HMT Transylvania.

Promoted Corporal on 26 May 1916, Gordon was made temporary Sergeant on 24 Jul 1916, and confirmed in that rank on 19 Oct 1916 following a training course in France during Aug 1916.

Had several short periods of illness, myalgia and scabies, but spent most time with his unit. In late November early December 1917 he enjoyed a fortnight's leave in England.

On 29 Aug 1918 the 32nd Battalion was back in the front line. The unit's War Diary doesn't speak of casualties, although the period 27th to 30th was spent in the front line advancing from north of Proyart towards Barleux. Gordon's wounds were most likely received as they moved from Fay to Assevillers on the 29th. His wounds were described as shell wounds to both hands, his side, and his head. He was the acting Company Sergeant Major of D Company at the time of his death.

Gordon was admitted to 14th Australian Field Ambulance, before being transferred to the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station where he died nine weeks after his brother Fred.

Notes

Gordon's military records have conflicting entries for his travel to Egypt. One set records him leaving Adelaide aboard the HMAT A2 Geelong, and another the HMAT A13 Katuna.