GORDON, ROBERT, Captain, was born 22
December 1866, son of James Gordon, of Nunbank, Dumfries, and later of
Townsville, Queensland, Australia, for many years Magistrate and Mining
Commissioner at Townsville, Queensland. He was educated at the Brisbane
Grammar School, and at the High School, Hobart, Tasmania; joined the
Queensland Mounted Infantry, 1891; served in the Tirah Campaign, attached to
the 1st Gordon Highlanders, 1897-98 (Despatches; Medal and two clasps); went
to South Africa with 1st Queensland Contingent, and was transferred to the 1st
Gordon Highlanders, 1900; given command of the Gordon Highlanders Mounted
Infantry Company; in command till wounded 30 January 1901. He took part in
the operations in Cape Colony, November 1899 to February 1900. Operations in
Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg
(17 to 26 February), actions at Poplar Grove, Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand
River. Operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including actions
at Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June). Operations in
Orange River Colony, July to 29 November 1900, including action at
Wittebergen. Operations in the Transvaal and Orange River
Colony 30 November 1900 to January 1901 (severely wounded). He was mentioned
in Despatches; received the Queen's Medal with six clasps, and was created a
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]:
"Robert Gordon, Captain, Queensland Mounted Infantry. In recognition of
services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, etc, were
presented by the King 3 June, 1901. He retired from the 1st Contingent,
Queensland Mounted Infantry, 5 October 1902; was transferred as Major from the
Reserve of Officers to the Queensland Mounted Infantry, 10 December 1904;
became Honourable Captain in the Army. At the outbreak of the European War he
was sent to German East Africa on Special Service, resigning for this purpose
from the command of the North Rhodesian Rifles. During the European War,
1914-18, he was appointed Intelligence Officer, in command of the North
Rhodesian Scouts in German South-West Angolaland and on the borders of North
Rhodesia. He pursued and captured a party of Germans who were endeavouring to
break through German South-West to German East Africa. These Germans belonged
to the Camel Corps in German South-West Africa, were mounted on camels, and
had penetrated far into Angola. Lieutenant General Smuts, Minister of Defence
in the South African Union, sent his congratulations through the Rhodesian
Commandant-General on this capture. He went to British East Africa in
February 1916, and commanded the Remount Landing Depot at Mombasa, and later
No 1 Base Remount Depot, Maktau; commanded Remount Depot at Daressalaam, Kilwa,
and Linde. Lieutenant Colonel Gordon was twice mentioned in Despatches; was
given the OBE in 1918, and created a CMG in 1919.
