SPREADBOROUGH, Gordon
| Service Numbers: | 4601, VX54774, V84979 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 September 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Lines of Communication Signals |
| Born: | Kingston-On-Thames, UK, 27 September 1894 |
| Home Town: | Kyabram, Campaspe, Victoria |
| Schooling: | England |
| Occupation: | Labourer / Orchardist |
| Died: | Dysentry whlst a Prisoner of War, Burma, 4 June 1942, aged 47 years |
| Cemetery: |
Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, (Burma) A12 B 20 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Kyabram & District Honour Roll WW2, Kyabram & District Memorial Community Hospital Honour Roll, Kyabram & District R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. Honour Roll, Kyabram St. Andrew's Church of England Altar & Reredos |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4601, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Jan 1916: | Involvement Private, 4601, 7th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: '' | |
| 28 Jan 1916: | Embarked Private, 4601, 7th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Melbourne | |
| 23 Aug 1918: | Honoured Military Medal | |
| 22 May 1920: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lance Sergeant, 4601 |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Signalman, VX54774 | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, V84979 | |
| 13 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), V84979, Area Staff | |
| 19 May 1941: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), V84979, Area Staff | |
| 19 May 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, VX54774 | |
| 4 Jun 1942: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), VX54774, Lines of Communication Signals, Signals 8 Division, 6 Line Section |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Gordon SPREADBOROUGH was born in Kingston on Thames, England on 27th September, 1894
His parents were Walter SPREADBOROUGH & Clara BARNETT who married in 1892 (registered in Eastbourne, UK)
His first marriage was to Alice LECOMTE on 7th July 1919 in the Registry Office in Warminster, Wiltshire, UK - Alice died in Echuca, Victoria in 1928 aged 30 years
His second marriage was to Sarah Louisa ADAMS in Victoria in 1929
He served in WW1 & WW2 and died of Illness (Dysentry) whilst a Prisoner of War in Burma on 4th June 1942
He was awarded a Military Medal on 23rd August, 1918 for conspicuous gallantry on the 23rd day of August, 1918 at Herleville Wood
"This soldier is a Headquarters Signaller and during the operation when Battalion Headquarters moved and established themselves in a forward position, this soldier and one other rank on noticing a party of the enemy sniping from the rear, promptly rushed the position and succeeded after a brief fight in capturing five of the enemy, including one Officer and killing the remaining eight.
His prompt action undoubtedly saved casualties among the Headquarters Details"
Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 109, 14th September, 1919
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
The late Signaller Spreadborough was the son of Mrs Clara Spreadborough and the late William Spreadborough. He was born at Kingston On Thames, England, and came to Australia when in his teens. For some time he was engaged in bee farming in the Horsham district. When the first great war broke out he enlisted with the A.I.F. in 1915 when 20 years of age, and served in Egypt and France as a member of the 6th Battalion. For conspicuous bravery during an action in France he was awarded the Military Medal. On his return to Australia under the Soldier Settlement Scheme he secured a block of land about three miles west of Kyabram. During his residence there he took an active part in fighting for the rights of returned soldiers. For ten years he held the position of secretary of the Kyabram branch of the R.S.L., and during his term of oflice the branch was a force to be reckoned-with. He held the position from 1930 to 1940, and he was honored in 1938 and again in 1940 with presentations from the members in appreciation of his untiring efforts for fighting comrades. At the outbreak of the present war he again offered his services to Australia, and for 12 months was stationed at Wangaratta on recruiting work. Not satisfied that he was doing enough he enlisted at the age of 47 in the A.I.F. and departed from Australia on November 2, 1941, for service overseas as a member of the Sth Division Signallers. He took part in the engagement against the Japanese at Singapore, and was taken prisoner when it fell on February 15, 1942. On February 13, two days pior to the fall of Singapore, Signaller Spreadborough despatched a cable, message to his wife which contained the following message: “Please don’t worry. Keep smiling." That was the last message received by Mrs Spreadborough from her husband.
The news of the passing of this highly respected soldier is deeply regretted by his many friends, and the sympathy of all is extended to the bereaved family. He is survived by this widow, one daughter, Clara (Mrs R. K. Smith, Lower Mitcham, South Australia) and two sons, Lionel and Gordon.
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