Gordon Grimley King DSO (1918 - 2009)

Born 22 Sep 1918 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Died 30 Dec 2009 at age 91 in Australia

Biography

Gordon King DSO is Notable.

Gordon King DSO was born in New South Wales, Australia

Gordon Grimley King was born on 22nd September 1918 in Hunter's Hill, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. He was the second (and second son) of five children of Ralph King, a stock broker, and Myra Grimley. ^[1] The family later settled at 2 Park Avenue, Gordon, in Sydney's northern suburbs.

Gordon attended Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga, New South Wales. After matriculating in 1936, he entered the University of Sydney and studied architecture. ^[2]

Gordon King DSO is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Army 1937-after 1954
17th Infantry Battalion; 2/6th Commando Squadron; 17/18th Battalion; Sydney University Regiment

In 1938, Gordon was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Citizens Military Force serving as a part-time officer in the 17th Infantry Battalion. On 12th May 1941 in Gordon, New South Wales, he volunteered for and transferred to the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF), the nation's overseas expeditionary force for the Second World War. His father was listed as next-of-kin. ^[3] In May 1942 he was posted to the newly-formed 6th Independent Company (later known as the 6th Commando Company and later still as the 2/6th Australian Commando Squadron) and undertook commando training at Wilson's Promontary, Victoria. As an Australian Commando, Gordon's role during the war would be to conduct irregular type warfare including small scale raiding, sabotage, long-range patrolling and reconnaissance operations rather than the traditional commando type direct action operations. Commandos, for the most part, conducted their operations in small groups operating inside enemy territory, or out in front of larger friendly forces. Between 1942 and 1945, the 2/6th undertook four major campaigns during the war—Kokoda, Buna, Markham–Ramu and Borneo—and was involved in arguably one of the most spectacular small unit actions of the war during the Battle of Kaiapit. ^[4]

Gordon was promoted to Captain and appointed officer commanding 2/6th Commando Squadron in August 1943. He 'inherited' from Major Harry Harcourt a cadre of experienced and fully trained soldiers, the squadron was involved in arguably one of the most significant small unit actions of the Papuan campaign at the Battle of Kaiapit where, on 19–20th September 1943, it captured the village and then repelled a determined enemy counterattack by a force much larger than its own, until relieved. After the action, 214 Japanese bodies were counted, and it was estimated that another 50 or more lay dead in the tall grass. Abandoned equipment that was recovered included 19 machine guns, 150 rifles, six grenade throwers and 12 Japanese swords. Against this, the Australians lost 11 killed and 23 wounded. ^[4] Gordon was appointed Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his 'outstanding leadership and courage at Kaiapit on 20th September 1943'; gazetted in Canberra on 2nd December 1943, but not gazetted in London until 20th January 1944). ^[5][6][7]

At Balikpapan, Borneo, the squadron supported the 25th Brigade in its advance along the Milford Highway. Among its many tasks, which included its normal role of conducting reconnaissance patrols, the squadron conducted a number of aggressive fighting patrols and successful ambushes along Pope's Track and provided humanitarian assistance to the local inhabitants. ^[4]

Having been promoted to Major in July 1945 and 'handing over' the squadron to Captain G C Blainey, just weeks before the Japanese Empire finally capitulated, Gordon was released from the AIF on 12th September 1945. ^[3] For his war service he was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945 and Australia Service Medal 1939-1945. Gordon attended the Governor General of Australia at Government House Sydney on 9th August 1946 for presentation of the DSO. He was then living with his parents in Gordon. ^[7]

After the war, Gordon completed his architectural degree and practised as an architect until he joined his father's stockbroking firm of Ralph W King and Yuill as a partner in 1955. ^[2] He continued his affiliation with the Army, returning to the 17th Battalion which, in 1948, merged with the 18th Battalion to form the 17/18th Battalion, the North Shore Regiment.

Gordon married Jeannette Poate on 30th April 1949 in St Mark's Church of England (now Anglican Church), Darling Point, New South Wales. ^[8]

On promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, he was appointed commanding officer of the Sydney University Regiment in 1954; still just aged in his mid-thirties.

Gordon retired from full-time work in 1978, continuing his active membership of the Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club until his death. He also served for twenty years as a director of The Smith Family. He had a strong interest in the arts and was a patron of the Art Gallery of NSW as well as assembling his own collection. ^[2]

During his 90th birthday celebrations in 2008 he revisited Kokoda, Mission Hill and Kaiapit, and unveiled a plaque at Kokoda in commemoration of the 2/6th Commando Squadron. ^[2]

Aged 91 years, he passed away on 30th December 2009. He is survived by Jeannette, his children Robert, Vivian, Edwina and Marisa, and their families. ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ New South Wales Birth Index #39847/1918; registered at Hunter's Hill
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Jones, Edwina and Handley, Ken. Sydney Morning Herald, 15 Jul 2010: A true hero who lived his life serving others; accessed 20 Sep 2022
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: NX71008 Major Gordon Grimley King; accessed 20 Sep 2022
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Wikipedia: 2/6th Commando Squadron (Australia); accessed 21 Sep 2022
5. ↑ Australian Honours: DSO; accessed 20 Sep 2022
6. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: DSO; accessed 20 Sep 2022
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Australian War Memorial honours and awards (recommendation): DSO; accessed 20 Sep 2022
8. ↑ New South Wales Marriage Index #16039/1949; registered at Paddington

See also

• Trigellis-Smith, Syd. Purple Devils: History of 2/6 Australian Commando Squadron. 2/6 Commando Squadron Association, Melbourne, 1992. ISBN 0-646-07125-4.
• Wikipedia: Gordon Grimsley King; accessed 20 Sep 2022.