Aircraftman 1st Class 649850 Royal Air Force
Died Saturday 6th November 1943 (Age 22)
Commemorated at: Singapore Memorial
Memorial Ref.: Column 428
Victor Ernest Gordon (b. 1st Q 1921) was the son of Alexander and Isabella (nee Leeson) Gordon of ‘Avon Cottage’ 41, Dixie Street, Jacksdale. Victor’s father was employed as a postman and later as a postman/driver for some 33 years, also being the recipient of an Imperial Service Medal.
Victor’s friends knew him as ‘Danny’ and he was a cheerful and popular lad. One of his old chums, Eddie Wilbraham, has shared many memories with us of the happy days they spent together. In 1936, Danny and a group of Jacksdale lads spent a week camping in a ‘bell tent’ at Skegness, on the Lincolnshire Coast. They had been planning and saving for the trip for many months. They all agreed that they would take only thirty shillings (£1.50p) spending money each so they would all be on a level footing.
Within only a few years, Danny was in the Air force whilst most of his friends had joined the Army. Danny’s sister, Thelma, also served during WW2 in the W.A.A.F. as a radio operator.
His brother Alex served as a Corporal with the Northamptonshire Regiment.
Danny also had two other brothers, Colin and Neville.
On 25th June 1943, a local newspaper reported that ‘Mr & Mrs Alexander Gordon ….have received the splendid news that their second son, Victor Ernest, a wireless operator in the R.A.F., is a prisoner of war in the hands of the Japanese. The message states that he is unwounded and is stationed at a camp at Java. Prior to joining up he was with Messrs. Geo. Edwards and Sons Ltd, Somercotes.’
Ironically, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records Danny’s date of death as 6th November 1943, just a few short months after the newspaper article had been printed.
He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial, Column 428.
