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1031162   Private Thomas Edward Gordon
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 31/03/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 13th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Canadian Army)
Date Of Birth: 05/11/1888
Died: 05/04/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 29
Summary      
Thomas Edward Gordon was born on 5th November 1888 in Dungannon. He was the son of James and Mary Gordon. The 1901 census shows the large family living at Cromac, County Antrim. Thomas was 15 years old and was working as a Messenger in Pinafore and Apron Manufacturer. Thomas moved to the USA. He was married. He was working as a labourer and living in, Boston USA. He went to Canada to enlist. Thomas was serving with the Royal Highlanders of Canada, when he was killed in action in France on 5th April 1918. He was 29 years of age. Thomas Gordon was one of five brothers who died in the Great War.
Private Thomas Edward Gordon
Further Information
Thomas Edward Gordon was the son of James and Mary Sarah Gordon (nee Crawford). There is no obvious GRONI marriage record and Mary was born in County Cavan, so they may have been married there.
Thomas Edward Gordon was born on 27th August 1885 in Dungannon. He was one of at least ten children.
By 1887, the family were living in Lurgan. By 1895, they were living in Belfast.
Known family: James Gordon, Mary Sarah Gordon, Sarah M Gordon (born about 1882, Tyrone), William James Gordon (born 17th May 1884, Dungannon), Thomas Edward Gordon (born 27th August 1885, Dungannon), John Robert Gordon (born 30th March 1887, Lurgan), Joseph Samuel Gordon (born 18th July 1888, Lurgan), Henry A Gordon (born 29th May 1891, Lurgan), Mary Gordon (born 3rd October 1892, Lurgan), David Gordon (born 19th August 1895, Belfast), Fred Gordon (born 1st July 1897, Belfast), Annie Gordon (born 17th October 1899, Belfast)
The 1901 census shows the large family living at Cooke Street, Belfast. Thomas was 15 years old and was working as a messenger for a pinafore and apron manufacturer.
Thomas Gordon and Charlotte Lottie Hughes were married on 28th October 1906 in Belfast. Charlotte was born in Ramsgate, England. She already had a daughter, Winfred.
The 1911 census lists Thomas as age 26, living with his family at house 20 in Coyle Street, Belfast. Thomas was a labourer at the Corporation store warehouse.
Known family: Thomas Gordon, Charlotte Gordon, Mary Gordon (born 17th January 1909), William Gordon (born 30th September 1911).
Thomas emigrated to the USA. It is not known if his family went with him.
Prior to enlisting, he was married and was working as a labourer and living at 1 Clara Court, Charlestown, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
He went to Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada to enlist on 7th July 1917. He lists Next of kin as his mother, Mary Gordon
Thomas Edward Gordon  Attestation Paper - page 1
Thomas Edward Gordon  Attestation Paper - page 2
Private Thomas Gordon underwent training before leaving for England on HMT Canada, arriving at Liverpool on 19th November 1917
Photo of Thomas Edward Gordon
Private Thomas Edward Gordon was serving with the 13th (MacLean Kilties) Battalion, The Royal Highlanders of Canada, when he was killed in action in France on 5th April 1918. He was 29 years of age.
The Canadian Circumstances of Death Register records that Private Gordon was killed in action on 5th April 1918. His unit was in the vicinity of Arras on that day.
Private Thomas Edward Gordon was one of five brothers who died in the Great War. From the Belfast Telegraph Tuesday 25 February 1919. Because he was the only one born in Dungannon, he is the only on included.
From the Belfast Telegraph dated Tuesday 25 February 1919: Belfast Family’s Heavy Loss
Intimation has been received that:
Gordon Family's Heavy Loss
bullet Private Henry A Gordon, Canadian Highlanders, died at Halifax Military Hospital from pneumonia following wounds received in action on 24th January 1919The deceased had about three years service to his credit. He went to Canada about six years ago, prior to which he was employed by Messrs Harland and Wolff Ltd and was a member of West Belfast UVF. He was one of five brothers who served their King and Country
bullet Stoker Joseph Gordon, Royal Navy, re-joined from the Naval Reserve on the outbreak of hostilities and has been torpedoed three times and is serving with the Grand Fleet
bullet Private David Gordon, 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was killed in action in August 1915
bullet Private Thomas Gordon, Canadian Highlanders, killed in action in April 1918
bullet Gunner Frederick Gordon, Royal Field Artillery, made the supreme sacrifice in May 1918
Their parents reside in Boston USA and formerly at 67 Ormeau Road, Belfast and their sister Mrs Richey at 20 Schomberg Street, Belfast. Her husband, Rifleman Walter Richey, Royal Irish Rifles, was taken prisoner on 21st March 1918 and is now demobilised.
Private Thomas Edward Gordon is buried in the Duisans British Cemetery in Etrun, France.
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GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
02/04/1875 M Crawford Mary Parent M/1875/H1/213/7/140b Ballymena, ??
02/04/1875 M Gordon James Parent M/1875/H1/213/7/140a Ballymena, ??
17/05/1884 B Gordon William Sibling U/1884/112/1012/14/440
27/08/1885 B Gordon Thomas Casualty U/1885/112/1012/15/340
30/03/1887 B Gordon John Sibling U/1887/176/1021/24/195
18/07/1888 B Gordon Joseph Sibling U/1888/176/1021/25/240
29/05/1891 B Gordon Henry Sibling U/1891/176/1021/27/389
03/10/1892 B Gordon Mary Sibling U/1892/176/1021/28/428
19/08/1895 B Gordon David Sibling U/1895/52/1007/66/296
01/07/1897 B Gordon Frederick Sibling U/1897/52/1007/70/397
17/10/1899 B Gordon Annie Sibling U/1899/52/1007/76/26
28/10/1906 M Hughes Lottie Wife M/1906/B1/418/111/132
28/10/1906 M Gordon Thomas Casualty M/1906/B1/418/111/132
17/01/1909 B Gordon Mary Children U/1909/52/1007/95/461
30/09/1911 B Gordon William Children U/1911/52/1007/100/213
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Gordon family Lists Thomas Edward as age 15 at house 64 in Cooke Street, Cromac, Antrim
2 1911 Census lists Gordon family Lists Thomas as age 26 living with his family at house 20 in Coyle Street, Cromac, Antrim
3 Canadian Great War Project Details of Private Thomas Edward Gordon
4 Canadian Virtual War Memorial Details of Thomas Edward Gordon including photos
5 Circumstances of Death Registers Details of Private Thomas Edward Gordon's death
6 Thomas Gordon Attestation Papers Canadian Military documents (42 no.)
7 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Thomas Edward Gordon's headstone can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023