"Gordon" Thomas Gordon PERRY

Born 13 May 1918 in Moonta, South Australia ^[55]
Son of Thomas Henry PERRY and Ruby ANDREW ^[55]
Departed Paskeville, South Australia with his parents and four siblings on 26 March 1930 ^[P20]
After an overland journey by car, they arrived with in Carnamah, Western Australia at 8 p.m. on 3 April 1930 ^[P20]
Initially resided with his parents on Francis Bros' East End Farm on the Caron Road in Carnamah ^[P19]
Student at the Billeroo State School in Billeroo, East Winchester in 1930 and 1931 ^{[7: pages 77 & 78]}
After his father made a track through scrub on CARMICHAEL's farm he had ten miles to travel to get to school ^[P20]
Won the 12-14 year Boys Running Race at the Inering Picnic on BATTY's Farm on Sunday 7 September 1930 ^{[4: 20-Sep-1930]}
Later resided with his parents at 45 Macpherson Street in the Carnamah townsite^[P19]
Resided with his parents in a house on HOLLINGSWORTH's farm and then on their own Karkarilla Farm on the Bunjil Road ^[P19]
After leaving school farmed Karkarilla Farm with his father ^{[0: image 02921]}
Member of the Billeroo Cricket Club from 1934-35 to 1940-41 - was Captain in 1940-41 ^{[5: 23-Nov-1934, 30-Oct-1936] [4: 9-Mar-1940]}
Played for the Carnamah District Cricket Association at Country Week Cricket in Perth during February 1936 ^{[5: 14-Feb-1936]}
Attended the Surprise 21st Birthday for his sister Miss Eileen R. PERRY in Carnamah on Saturday evening 18 July 1936 ^{[5: 24-Jul-1936]}
Came 2nd in the Single Men's Race at the Reunion of South Australians held in Carnamah on Saturday 26 September 1936 ^{[5: 2-Oct-1936]}
Travelled from Carnamah to South Australia by truck with a group of other erstwhile South Australians in December 1936 ^{[5: 18-Dec-1936]}
     They departed Carnamah on 16 December 1936 and after travelling overland hoped to be in South Australia by Christmas Day ^[5]
     Everyone on the truck was from Carnamah or Winchester and the others included his brother Mervyn, sister Eileen, ^[5]
     "Maurice S. B. & Eliza A. AUNGER, C. George AUNGER, "Tony" Edgar H. & Beatrice M. BENTLEY, Ida W. BENTLEY, ^[5]
     Shirley D. BENTLEY, Mrs I. Gertrude ALLEN, Russell J. BENTLEY, Thomas J. BARKER and Maxwell J. BARKER ^[5]
     Himself and the rest of the group arrived back in Carnamah on the truck on Monday 15 February 1937 ^{[5: 19-Feb-1937]}
Member of the Five Gums Tennis Club from 1936-37 to 1938-39 ^[89]
Attended the meeting at Five Gums on 10 March 1937 to discuss the establishment of a state school at Five Gums, Carnamah ^[278]
Member of the Carnamah Football Club in 1939 ^{[4: 29-Jul-1939]}
Successfully applied to join the Royal Australian Air Force and was awaiting to be called up as a mechanic ^{[0: image 029211]}
On Monday 27 January 1941 was clearing out a 45 foot deep well on his father's farm with his brother Mervyn ^{[0: image 029211]}
While down the bottom of the well some of the top stone wall gave way and a falling rock struck him on the head ^{[0: image 029211]}
Help was called for and William A. TURNER went down the well and made a sling from ropes and had him hauled to the surface ^[0]
He was taken to the North Midlands District Hospital in Three Springs where he passed away shortly after admission ^{[0: image 029211]}
Died 27 January 1941; buried at the Winchester Cemetery in Carnamah, Western Australia (Row C, Plot 13) ^{[1] [0: image 029211]}
His funeral, which was undertaken by Henry Parkin & Son of Carnamah, cost £29 inc. transportation, minister and cemetery fees ^[53]


From The North Midland Times newspaper, Friday 31 January 1941:
Young Air Force Reservist Accidentally Killed - Tragedy on Carnamah Farm
"A deep gloom was cast over the Carnamah district on Monday when it was learned that Mr. Gordon Perry had passed away at the North Midlands District Hospital, as the result of an accident the same day. From the information we have been able to obtain, it appears that the unfortunate young man was working in a well on his father's farm, and was being assisted by a younger brother, (Mervyn). Deceased was working at the bottom of the well, while his brother was operating the windlass. A bucket full of debris was being hauled to the top of the well to be emptied, but when it got near the top it collided with the wall of the well. When the bucket was being freed a small portion of the wall of the well gave way, a piece falling some forty-five feet to the bottom where it apparently struck the young man on the temple. Hearing the fall of earth Mervyn immediately became alarmed and called to his brother. Receiving no answer he summoned another member of the family (Kita) and she lowered him to the bottom of the well in the bucket. One glance was enough to show that the victim was in a bad way, and Mervyn immediately despatched his sister to telephone for further help. Mervyn propped his brother up and bathed him and bathed his face and head as well as he was able. Soon after this Mervyn, who is not over-strong, was overtaken by a fit of nausea, and decided to climb up the pipe out of the well. Despite the fact that he was feeling ill, the young man accomplished the forty-five foot climb and went to the house to make sure that help was being summoned. The first person to arrive on the scene of the accident was Mrs. R. Bowran, and she was followed after a short interval by Mr. W. Turner and Mr. H. Nineham. Mr. Turner was lowered down the well and found the deceased gentleman in the same position as he had been left by his brother. Mr. Turner constructed a sling from ropes and the unfortunate young man was hauled to the surface and carried to the house. Dr. M. A. Mayrhofer, of Three Springs, was quickly on the scene and transported the injured man to the North Midlands District Hospital, where he passed away shortly after admission. It was later ascertained that death was due to a fractured skull and haemorrhage of the brain. The late Mr. Perry, who was only 22 years of age, was well and favourably known throughout the Carnamah district, where he had resided for a number of years. He was born at Cross Roads, Moonta, South Australia and came to this state twelve years ago with his parents (Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Perry). On arriving in Western Australia the Perry family came to Carnamah where Mr. Perry senr., has carried on farming operations ever since. During practically the whole of that time the late Mr. Perry had assisted his father, and Mr. Perry senr. has come to rely more and more on his eldest son.  The deceased gentleman was a keen sport, and was one of the best all-rounders in the Billeroo cricket team, which he captained in the 1939-40 season. On that occasion Billeroo were runners-up in the premiership. Other sports which gained his attention were football and tennis, and he showed a great aptitude for both of these sports. When applications were called for recruits for the 25th Machine Gun Regiment some six or so months ago, the late Mr. Perry volunteered, but was rejected on account of being physically unfit. Many men would have considered that they had done their duty, but Mr. Perry was anxious to serve his country and a few months later he applied for admission to the R.A.A.F., and passed his examination. At the time of his death he was waiting to be called up as a mechanic. He had received his reserve badge only a few days before his death. As his father was in hospital in Perth, Gordon decided to do all of the heavy work around the farm so that Mervyn  would be able to carry on, if he was called up in the near future. It was this resolution that led to the young man's death. In addition to his parents a family of four sisters Eileen (Mrs. Geo. Aunger), Kita, Vonnie and Shirley and three brothers Mervyn, Allan and Maurice are left to mourn their loss. The funeral, which was a military one, took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Presbyterian portion of the Winchester cemetery. The burial service was conducted by Missioner F. Hales, of the Three Springs Methodist circuit, who in the course of his remarks, paid a glowing tribute to the deceased, by saying that he heard him referred to as "a fine chap." The chief mourners, who followed the cortege were Mr. and Mrs. G. Aunger (brother-in-law and sister), Mr. Mervyn Perry (brother), Miss Kita Perry (sister) and Mr. C. Martyn (cousin). The pall-bearers were Messrs. J. K. Forrester, J. Bowman, J. Adams, R. Bowran, H. Nineham, H. Fowler, J. Gilmour."


From The Irwin Index newspaper, Saturday 1 February 1941:
Death of Young Farmer - Tragedy at Carnamah - Accident in a Well
"Whilst removing silt from the bottom of a well on his father's property at Carnamah on Monday last, a young man named Thomas Gordon Perry was the victim of severe head injuries which were responsible for his death within a very brief period after the occurrence. It would appear that a dislodgment of stones from below the timbering of the well struck Perry on the head and rendered him unconscious. The work of bringing the injured man to the surface was both difficult and delicate, desperate and heroic attempts by his brother (Mr. Mervyn Perry) and sister (Miss Kita Perry) being unsuccessful. The former was lowered to the bottom of the well by his sister and endeavoured to render assistance to his injured brother, whilst Miss Perry returned to the home of her parents to telephone for assistance. During her absence, the younger brother, finding himself becoming affected by the atmosphere and shock, returned to the surface be climbing a 40-feet pipe. Messrs. W. Turner, H. Nineham and R. Bowran were first on the scene of the occurrence, and the first named gentleman was immediately lowered to the bottom of the well. He eventually succeeded in bringing the victim to the surface and the latter was immediately transferred to the North Midlands District Hospital at Three Springs for attention by Dr. Mayrhofer. Soon after arrival at the hospital, however, the young man died without regaining consciousness. Deceased was an extremely popular figure in all sporting and social circles and was awaiting a call for service in the Royal Australian Air Force. He was only twenty-two years of age, and a particularly lamentable aspect of the tragedy is the fact that his father is at present an inmate of the Perth Hospital having only quite recently undergone a surgical operation in that institution. The funeral took place in the Winchester Cemetery on Tuesday last and was largely attended by residents from all parts of the district, the service at the graveside being conducted by Missioner F. Hales, of the Methodist Church. The chief mourners were Mr. and Mrs. G. Aunger (brother-in-law and sister), Mr. Mervyn Perry (brother) and Mr. C. Martyn (cousin), and the pallbearers were Messrs. J. K. Forrester, J. Bowman, J. Adams, R. Bowran, H. Nineham, H. Fowler, J. House and J. Gilmour."


From The North Midland Times newspaper, Friday 29 January 1943:
In Memoriam
"PERRY - In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Gordon, accidentally killed January 27th 1941
Gone is the tide that is broken; Dear is the one who is gone, In memory we always will keep him; As long as the years roll on.
Inserted by his sorrowing father and mother, sisters and brothers"
"PERRY - In loving memory of our brother Gordon, accidentally killed on January 27th, 1941.
Things have changed in many ways, But one thing changes never. Memories of those happy days, When we were all together.
Ever remembered by his loving sister Eileen, brother-in-law George and little niece Janette."
"PERRY - In memory of Gordon who died on January 27th, 1941. Ever Remembered. Inserted by Mr. and Mrs. Aunger and Tom."

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