Gordon Grimsley King
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Grimsley King DSO
(22 September 1918 – 2009) was an officer of the Australian Army
during the Second World War.
, where he was active in the cadet unit. Gordon studied architecture at the University of Sydney
. In 1938 he joined the Citizens Military Force with the 17th Battalion and enlisted in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force in 1940.
at Tidal River, Victoria
in 1941 and trained the newly raised 2/6 th Independent Company in May 1942 and was posted to New Guinea as second in command of the company in August 1942.
The 2/6th was sent to the Kokoda Track
and placed under the command of the 7th Division’s headquarters. On 28 August 1942, the company moved up to Mount Eirama where they were employed as the divisional reserve. As the situation along the track continued to worsen, the 2/6th moved to cover the Goldie River Valley in order to block any Japanese outflanking manoeuvres.
Long distance patrols were undertaken between 6 September and 12 October 1942 to cover wider lines of possible enemy approach through the Yodda Valley, the jungle tracks around Esau Creek and Brown River and along Engineer Road in support of Honner Force
. The purpose of these patrols was to obtain topographical information regarding the tracks in the area which might be used by Australian forces to outflank the enemy, as well as to provide early warning of any enemy infiltration attempts. In this vane, the patrols varied in size and duration, ranging from four or five men to 150 and from five to six days up to months. In some cases they acted as independent, long-range patrols, while others were in close contact with regular formations.
On 14 October 1942, elementsA and D Patrols were still in the Kokoda area at this time, as well as Y Patrol which was heading to Yodda River. As such, just over 100 men arrived at Wanigela at this time. See Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 82. of the 2/6th were flown from 14-Mile Drome
across the mountains to Wanigela Airfield
, Wangiela
. From Wanigela the company moved to Pongani
. With the offensive started in the Battle of Buna-Gona
, the 2/6th patrolled in front of the United States Army
's 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, along the coast from Pongani to Buna
. Arriving at the front line at Buna on 20 November 1942, the 2/6th was engaged in the heavy fighting around the airfield named New Strip until the early December 1942 during which time they were employed mainly in a traditional infantry role. In mid-December, the 2/6th was withdrawn to Soputa
and then Port Moresby, where they spent Christmas prior to returning to Australia for re-organisation and refurbishment.
He returned with the 2/6th to Australia in March 1943 and after some leave, re-assembled at the Army’s Jungle Warfare Centre at Canungra, Queensland
. As part of the Army-wide re-organisation that was being undertaken, the 2/6th Independent Company became known as the 2/6th Commando Squadron.
The 2/6th sailed from Townsville for Port Moresby
in August 1943, and then, in the middle of September, with Gordon in command, it was flown to an area just west of the Leron River, in the Markham Valley for the upcoming Markham–Ramu campaign
. Attached to the 7th Division, the squadron provided flank
protection during the campaign, mainly carrying out reconnaissance and long range patrols, although they were also used to capture and hold ground in advance of the main formation at times.
During the Battle of Kaiapit
, on 19–20 September 1943, Gordon was wounded in the leg, however he continued to lead his men against overwhelming odds and was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order
for his actions. After recovering from his wounds, he led his men and continued to provide flank protection for the 7th Division during its advance to Shaggy Ridge. He was promoted to Major in December 1943 and led the company during the battle of Balikpapan
in July 1945.
He was appointed the commanding officer of the Sydney University Regiment
in 1954. He retired from his work commitments in 1978. During his 90th birthday celebrations he revisited Kokoda, Mission Hill and Kaiapit and unveiled a plaque at Kokoda in commemoration of the 2/6th Commando Squadron.
Gordon King died in 2009 and is survived by Jeannette and his children Robert, Vivian, Edwina and Marisa.
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
(22 September 1918 – 2009) was an officer of the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
during the Second World War.
Early life
Gordon was born in Sydney on 22 September 1918, the son of Ralph King, and Myra, née Grimsley. He attended Knox Grammar SchoolKnox Grammar School
Knox Grammar School is an independent, Uniting Church, day and boarding school for boys, located in Wahroonga, an upper North Shore suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
, where he was active in the cadet unit. Gordon studied architecture at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
. In 1938 he joined the Citizens Military Force with the 17th Battalion and enlisted in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force in 1940.
Second World War
Gordon became an instructor at the Guerilla Warfare SchoolGuerilla Warfare School
The Guerilla Warfare School, was a commando and special operations training centre at Tidal River, Victoria, Australia during the Second World War. The training centre was set up in 1941, known as No. 7 Infantry Training Centre, and the special operations course was run until July 1942, before...
at Tidal River, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
in 1941 and trained the newly raised 2/6 th Independent Company in May 1942 and was posted to New Guinea as second in command of the company in August 1942.
The 2/6th was sent to the Kokoda Track
Kokoda Track
The Kokoda Trail or Track is a single-file foot thoroughfare that runs overland — in a straight line — through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea...
and placed under the command of the 7th Division’s headquarters. On 28 August 1942, the company moved up to Mount Eirama where they were employed as the divisional reserve. As the situation along the track continued to worsen, the 2/6th moved to cover the Goldie River Valley in order to block any Japanese outflanking manoeuvres.
Long distance patrols were undertaken between 6 September and 12 October 1942 to cover wider lines of possible enemy approach through the Yodda Valley, the jungle tracks around Esau Creek and Brown River and along Engineer Road in support of Honner Force
Honner Force
Honner Force was the name given to an ad hoc composite Australian Army force of approximately 500 men under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honner, DSO, MC which served in the New Guinea campaign in 1942 in World War II....
. The purpose of these patrols was to obtain topographical information regarding the tracks in the area which might be used by Australian forces to outflank the enemy, as well as to provide early warning of any enemy infiltration attempts. In this vane, the patrols varied in size and duration, ranging from four or five men to 150 and from five to six days up to months. In some cases they acted as independent, long-range patrols, while others were in close contact with regular formations.
On 14 October 1942, elementsA and D Patrols were still in the Kokoda area at this time, as well as Y Patrol which was heading to Yodda River. As such, just over 100 men arrived at Wanigela at this time. See Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 82. of the 2/6th were flown from 14-Mile Drome
Schwimmer Airfield
Schwimmer Airfield is a former World War II airfield near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It was part of a multiple-airfield complex in the Port Moresby area, located north of the Laloki River....
across the mountains to Wanigela Airfield
Wanigela Airport
Wanigela Airport is an airport in Wanigela, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea .-History:Built by Australia New Guinea Administrative Unit authorities in July 1942 during World War II. Consisting of a single grassed runway. The airfield was used primarily for transport flights.-Airlines and destinations:...
, Wangiela
Wanigela, Papua New Guinea
Wanigela is a village along Collingwood Bay, Papua New Guinea. The village is served by Wanigela Airport.-History:Wanigela became an Allied forward staging base during World War II...
. From Wanigela the company moved to Pongani
Pongani, Papua New Guinea
-History:During World War II, the area around the village was used as a staging area for allied forces for the Battle of Buna-Gona. The United States 126th Infantry Regiment and 128th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Infantry Division together with Australian 2/6th Independent Company staged in...
. With the offensive started in the Battle of Buna-Gona
Battle of Buna-Gona
The Battle of Buna–Gona was a battle in the New Guinea campaign, a major part of the Pacific campaign of World War II. On 16 November 1942, Australian and United States forces attacked the main Japanese beachheads in New Guinea, at Buna, Sanananda and Gona. Both forces were riddled by disease and...
, the 2/6th patrolled in front of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
's 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, along the coast from Pongani to Buna
Buna, Papua New Guinea
Buna is a village in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea. It was the site in part, of the Battle of Buna-Gona during World War II, when it constituted a variety of native huts and a handful of houses with a airstrip...
. Arriving at the front line at Buna on 20 November 1942, the 2/6th was engaged in the heavy fighting around the airfield named New Strip until the early December 1942 during which time they were employed mainly in a traditional infantry role. In mid-December, the 2/6th was withdrawn to Soputa
Soputa, Papua New Guinea
Soputa is a village located inland from Gona, Buna and Sanananda in Papua New Guinea. The village is located at the crossroads of the Kokoda-Sananada Road and Buna-Kokoda Road. Trails lead to Buna and Sananada.-History:...
and then Port Moresby, where they spent Christmas prior to returning to Australia for re-organisation and refurbishment.
He returned with the 2/6th to Australia in March 1943 and after some leave, re-assembled at the Army’s Jungle Warfare Centre at Canungra, Queensland
Canungra, Queensland
Canungra is a small picturesque rural township in South East Queensland, Australia. Its economy depends on tourism, being a popular destination for short drives from the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Canungra, also called the "Valley of the Owls", is situated in the Gold Coast Hinterland, west of the...
. As part of the Army-wide re-organisation that was being undertaken, the 2/6th Independent Company became known as the 2/6th Commando Squadron.
The 2/6th sailed from Townsville for Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
in August 1943, and then, in the middle of September, with Gordon in command, it was flown to an area just west of the Leron River, in the Markham Valley for the upcoming Markham–Ramu campaign
Finisterre Range campaign
The Finisterre Range campaign, also known as the Ramu Valley–Finisterre Range campaign, was a series of actions in the New Guinea campaign of World War II...
. Attached to the 7th Division, the squadron provided flank
Flanking maneuver
In military tactics, a flanking maneuver, also called a flank attack, is an attack on the sides of an opposing force. If a flanking maneuver succeeds, the opposing force would be surrounded from two or more directions, which significantly reduces the maneuverability of the outflanked force and its...
protection during the campaign, mainly carrying out reconnaissance and long range patrols, although they were also used to capture and hold ground in advance of the main formation at times.
During the Battle of Kaiapit
Battle of Kaiapit
The Battle of Kaiapit was an action fought in 1943 between Australian and Japanese forces in New Guinea during the Finisterre Range campaign of World War II. Following the landing at Nadzab and landing at Lae, the Allies attempted to exploit their success with an advance into the upper Markham...
, on 19–20 September 1943, Gordon was wounded in the leg, however he continued to lead his men against overwhelming odds and was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
for his actions. After recovering from his wounds, he led his men and continued to provide flank protection for the 7th Division during its advance to Shaggy Ridge. He was promoted to Major in December 1943 and led the company during the battle of Balikpapan
Battle of Balikpapan (1945)
The Battle of Balikpapan was the concluding stage of the Borneo campaign . The landings took place on 1 July 1945. The Australian 7th Division, composed of the 18th, 21st and 25th Infantry Brigades, with support troops, made an amphibious landing, codenamed Operation Oboe Two a few miles north of...
in July 1945.
Later life
Gordon completed his architectural degree and beagn practising as an architect. Gordon continued his affiliation with the military joining the 17/18th Battalion, the North Shore Regiment in 1948. He married Jeannette Poate in 1949. He joined his father stockbroking firm stockbroking firm of Ralph W. King and Yuill in 1955.He was appointed the commanding officer of the Sydney University Regiment
Sydney University Regiment
Sydney University Regiment is an officer training regiment of the Australian Army Reserve. It can trace its lineage back to 1900 when the University Volunteer Rifle Corps was raised as a unit of the colonial New South Wales Defence Force. Over time this unit has undergone a number of name and role...
in 1954. He retired from his work commitments in 1978. During his 90th birthday celebrations he revisited Kokoda, Mission Hill and Kaiapit and unveiled a plaque at Kokoda in commemoration of the 2/6th Commando Squadron.
Gordon King died in 2009 and is survived by Jeannette and his children Robert, Vivian, Edwina and Marisa.
External links
- http://www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/a-true-hero-who-lived-his-life-serving-others-20100714-10b7k.html#ixzz1azXkiwng