Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Contributed by St Ignatius College

Gordon Norman Andrews was a soldier in the 2/10th lnfantry Battalion from 1939 to 1942 (Figure I). This Battalion was stationed in an array of places with many battles fought. The Battalion first trained at Woodside, localed in the Adelaide Hills, and then moved to Greta and lngleburn; these bases were in New South Wales. This Battalion embarked on the Middle East for their first battle alongside the 181h Brigade on May 5, I940, (Australian War Memorial, n.d) (Virtual War Memorial Australia, n.d).

Before the war

Gordon Norman Andrews was born on the 20th of September 1913, as the third son of his parents Henry and Louisa Andrews. He was born in Mildura, a small town in Victoria. When Gordon was very young, his family moved to Renmark, South Australia near the border of Victoria (Virtual War Memorial, n.d.). Before the war, Gordon had a job as a labourer. This meant he was working unskilled manual work likely in the growing construction industry, or with carpentry or electrical trades. Gordon was well known in Renmark, particularly for his work with one of the wealthy townsmen, Mr Jim Ritchie. Gordon had no experience with any military service, this was his first time being in the army and serving for his country, although both his elder brother Harry and his younger brother Keith were previously in the military. Harry served overseas in the Air Force, while Keith served overseas but with the A.l.F (Australian lmperial Force). Gordon was enlisted on 11th November 1939 for a service at Renmark and was shown in the records, to be one of the first men to enlist from Renmark. Gordon was married to his wife Ellinor Gwendoline Millich of Pyap on 5/3/1940 who eventually became Ellinor Gwendoline Andrews. It is unknown if they had any children, but Gordan is an uncle to (Mr.) J. Andrews. (NAA, n.d) (Australian War Memorial, n.d.)

During the war

When WWII began, Gordon enlisted in the army on the 1th of November 1939 and was TOS (Taken on strength) on the 15th of November 1939, allotted to the 2/10th Infantry Battalion with his friend Ted Davidson who was also from Renmark. Gordon was 28 when he enlisted but 29 when the Battalion started training. The Infantry Battalion first started to take shape at the Adelaide Wayville showgrounds on the 13th of October, they then moved their training to the Woodside camp (SA) and finally lnglebum/Greta (NSW). The 2/l0th Battalion then set off for the Middle East on May 5th, 1940. They then joined with the 18th Brigade of the 6th Division. (Australian War Memorial, 2022). Gordon knew that this would not be over quickly and that he would be away from his family for quite some time.

En route to the Middle East, the Brigade was stopped and diverted to the United Kingdom as they needed more men to defend the country along with France. The 2/10th Infantry Battalion disembarked for the first time in Gourock, Scotland on the 18th of June. They were then based in England at Lopcombe Comer. Just three weeks later, on July 8th the Battalion faced their first battle and suffered many casualties due to an attack by German Aircraft. After this incident occurred, they moved to Colchester and left the United Kingdom to embark again on their journey (Australian War Memorial, 2022). 

After this event, the Battalion embarked and disembarked in many places and fought many battles. Some places include Sydney, Scotland, the Middle East, and transhipped at Bombay, Adelaide, Brisbane, and New Guinea (refer to figure 5). Some Battles fought include the Battle of Buna, the Battle of Milne Bay, Battles for Tobruk and Shaggy Ridge Operations (Australian War Memorial, 2022). They all fought gallantly but lost many soldiers during these battles, the battalion had many battle honours, but it lost meaning for the men without the rest of their squad. Gordon won the 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, and Australia Service Medal.

Gordon Nonnan Andrews was killed in action whilst fighting in Papua New Guinea on the 27th August 1942. He was only 28 years old, a man who was only just married but unable to spend time as a married man with his wife. (Australian War Memorial, n.d.). Gordon was killed during the Battle of Milne Bay, located on the south-eastern tip of Papua. On this unfortunate night, the facilities they were stationed at were attacked by the Japanese with a force of 2,000 marines sent to land and capture them (Australian War Memorial, 2022). Ted Davidson and Gordon Norman were both in the Battle of Milne Bay together but only one came home (Trove, 1942).

After the War, Gordon's body was buried, in a hastily dug cemetery in Papua New Guinea where he was killed. Later, with many brave soldiers, he was re-buried in the the Port Moresby Bomana War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea. 113 men of the 2/10th Infantry Battalion were killed, and 205 wounded field (Virtual War Memorial Australia, n.d). The local newspaper heard of Gordon's death and published his obituary. He was a much-respected man in the town of Renmark and his death was keenly felt by many. Gordon's name appears on the Renmark District Roll of Honour board, in the middle column. There are two other Andrew's names, H.C and K.A, his brother's Harry and Keith Andrews (Virtual War Memorial Australia, n.d).

Bibliography

Australian War Memorial, 2019. Dawn of the Legend: The Anzac spirit. [Online]

Available at: https·//www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/dawn/spirit [Accessed 26 April 2022].

Australian War Memorial, 2022. 2/10th Australian Infantry Battalion. [Online]

Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U56053 [Accessed 23 April 2022].

Australian War Memorial, n.d.. Gordon Norman Andrews. [Online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R17 I2243 [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Common Wealth War Graves, n.d. PRIVATE GORDON NORMAN ANDREWS. [Online]

Available at: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2192339/gordon-nonnan-andrews/ [Accessed 23 May 2022].

NAA, n.d. ANDREWS GORDON NORMAN, Victoria: National Archives Australia.

Trove, 1942. KJLLED IN ACTION. [Online]

Available at: hllps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/ I09267976 [Accessed 25 April 2022).

Virtual War Memorial Australia, n.d. 2nd/10th Infantry Battalion. [Online]

Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/units/10 [Accessed 26 April 2022).

Virtual War Memorial Australia, n.d. Renmark District Roll of Honour WW2. [Online]

Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/memorials/1365 [Accessed 26 April 2022).

Virtual War Memorial, n.d.. Gordon Norman ANDREWS. [Online]

Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/608058 [Accessed 23 April 2022).