About this objectFramed portrait of Gordon in army uniform, no hat. Plain blue background. Framed with a wooden frame. Brass plaque attached to bottom of portraits on the frame with "NX164465 PTE Gordon Thomas CHRYSTALL
2/1st Pioneers WW2".
MakerAnne Marie Ingham
Medium and MaterialsAcrylic on canvas
Subject and Association DescriptionGordon Chrystall, who has lived at Larras Lee since he was ten, had an uncle who fought at Gallipoli and who died at the Somme, in France in World War1. Gordon’s mother was quite happy for him to join the Navy in World War 2 but not the Army. He was colour-blind and was rejected for the Navy and his mother eventually agreed to his joining the AIF. Gordon did armoured and jungle training before the 2/1 Pioneers, attached to the 7th Division, went to Morotai and Tarakan. Gordon talked of the food and finding a dozen turkeys which they had to return as they belonged to General Blamey, of the LSTs (Landing Ship Tanks), carrying 200 men, and of the Australians who were killed in fighting with the Japanese after the war had ended.
Gordon, sixty years after his war experiences, “many better not talked about”, was concerned that tribute should be paid to “the people back home”, working for the war effort, “who never did get enough praise.”
Dedicated to Gordon Thomas Chrystall
Service: 2/1st Pioneers AIF WW2
Service Number: NX164465
Date of Birth: 20 September 1924
Place of Birth: Orange, NSW
Date of Enlistment: 1943
Next of Kin: Helen Chrystall
Date of Death: 31 December 2014
Rank: Private
Date of Discharge: 1946