Gordon Joseph Kirkham (1920 - 1982)

Born 22 May 1920 in Rose Park, South Australia, Australia

Died 20 Nov 1982 at age 62 in North Haven, South Australia, Australia

Biography

Gordon Kirkham was born in South Australia, Australia

Gordon Kirkham was awarded the Australia Service Medal 1939-1945.

Gordon Kirkham was awarded the War Medal 1939-1945.

Leading Aircraftman Gordon Kirkham served in the Royal Australian Air Force in World War II
Service started: 16 March 1943
Unit(s):
Service ended: 26 March 1946

1920 Birth

Date: May 22, 1920

Place: Rose Park, South Australia, Australia

Gordon Joseph Kirkham was born on May 22, 1920 in Rose Park, South Australia, Australia, son of Joseph Frederick Kirkham (1872–1940) and Mary Ann O'Riley (1891–1935).^[1]

1938 Stolen bicycle

Gordon reported his bicycle was stolen 5 August 1938 in Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia.^[2]

1939 Marriage

Date: 1939

Place:

Groom: Gordon Joseph Kirkham a Blacksmith

Bride: Dorothy Edna Withall

Gordon (18) married Dorothy Edna Withall (21) (born on November 10, 1917 in Wallaroo, South Australia; daughter of Herbert Withall and Eva (Tonkin) Withall) in 1939. Their son was Trevor Gordon Kirkham (1940–1941).

1942 Hospital admission

Gordon was a patient on 20 October 1942.^[3]

1942 Death of wife

His wife Dorothy Edna Withall passed away in 1942 aged 24 years^[4]

1943 WW2 Service

World War Two Service

Veteran Details

Name KIRKHAM, GORDON JOSEPH

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service Number 122627

Date of Birth 22 May 1920

Place of Birth ROSE PARK, SA

Date of Enlistment 16 Mar 1943

Locality on Enlistment PARKSIDE

Place of Enlistment ADELAIDE

Next of Kin WILLCOCKS, MATILDA

Date of Discharge 26 Mar 1946

Rank Leading Aircraftman

Posting at Discharge 48 Operational Base Unit

Prisoner of War No^[5]

1982 Death

Date: November 20, 1982

Place: North Haven, South Australia, Australia

Gordon died on November 20, 1982 in South Australia, aged 62. He is commemorated at Enfield Memorial Park, Clearview, Port Adelaide Enfield City, South Australia. According to the Australian Cemeteries Index his memorial is on the East Niche Wall no 2^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Index(https://www.genealogysa.org.au/resources/online-database-search Genealogy SA) : accessed 03 Mar 2022). Index entry for Gordon Joseph KIRKHAM; Gender: M; Father: Joseph Frederick KIRKHAM; District: Norwood; Book/Page: 55A/581; Birth Year: 1920
2. ↑ Police Gazette: "South Australia, Australia, Police Gazettes, 1862-1947"
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 60970 #135310 (accessed 1 April 2024)
   Name: Gordon Joseph Kirkham; Year: 1938; Place: South Australia, Australia; Reference Description: AU5103-1938 SA Police Gazette 1938.
3. ↑ Medical Patient: "South Australia, Australia, Adelaide Hospital Admission Registers, 1841-1952"
   State Records of South Australia; Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Admission Registers-Adelaide Hospital 1841-1946; Reference: GRG78/49
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 62318 #376091 (accessed 1 April 2024)
   Name: Gordon Kirkham; Gender: Male; Age: 22; Record Type: Admission; Birth Year: abt 1920; Occupation: Blksmth; Admission Date: 15 Oct 1942; Admission Place: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Discharge Date: 20 Oct 1942.
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/159841245/dorothy-edna-kirkham : accessed 03 March 2022), memorial page for Dorothy Edna Withall Kirkham (10 Nov 1917–4 Nov 1942), Find a Grave Memorial ID 159841245, citing West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, Adelaide City, South Australia, Australia ; Maintained by Dwight Baker (contributor 47306645) .
5. ↑ https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=962261&c=WW2
6. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/159841245/dorothy-edna-kirkham : accessed 03 March 2022), memorial page for Dorothy Edna Withall Kirkham (10 Nov 1917–4 Nov 1942), Find a Grave Memorial ID 159841245, citing West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, Adelaide City, South Australia, Australia ; Maintained by Dwight Baker (contributor 47306645) .

See also:

• https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=962261&c=WW2