| Regimental number | 1020 |
| Place of birth | Camperdown, Victoria |
| School | St Patrick's Catholic School, Camperdown, New South Wales |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Blacksmith |
| Address | Barkly Street, Camperdown, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 22 |
| Height | 5' 7" |
| Weight | 137 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs J. Breene, Barkly Street, Camperdown, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Served for one year in the Citizen Military Forces. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 23rd Battalion, A Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/40/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 23rd Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Villers-Bretonneux, France |
| Age at death | 22 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 22 |
| Place of burial | Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery (Plot X, Row E, Grave No. 5), Fouilloy, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 98 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: John and Sarah BREEN, Barkly Street, Camperdown, Victoria |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'On the night of 21st September 1917 the Battalion was placed under cover near CHATEAU WOOD during enemy barrage on our sector, and enemy shell fired a dump within a few yards of troops. This N.C.O. immediately rushed to the dump, scattered the burning boxes of 18 pdr. ammunition and extinguished the fire. This cool and courageous act undoubtedly saved a serious explostion and lives of men in the close vicinity.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Embarked Melbourne, 8 May 1915. Proceeded to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 30 August 1915. Charged 2/6d for replacement Gas Helmet, Anzac, 20 November 1915. Disembarked Alexandria, ex-Mudros, 27 December 1915. Found guilty, 17 January 1916, of being absent without leave from 2145 hours, 11 January 1916, until 2145 hours, 16 January 1916: awarded 7 days' detention, and forfeits 6 days' pay. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 2 September 1916. Promoted Lance Corporal, 13 November 1916. Admitted to No 5 Australian Field Ambulance, 14 October 1916 (influenza); transferred to 23rd Divisional Rest Station, 15 October 1916; discharged to duty, 17 October 1916. Admitted to No 2 Australian Field Ambulance, 13 November 1916; transferred to Divisional Rest Station, 13 November 1916. Promoted Temporary Corporal, 20 December 1916; reverts to the rank of Lance Corporal, 25 December 1916. Promoted Temporary Corporal, 26 December 1916. Promoted Corporal, 16 February 1917. Wounded in action, 5 March 1917; admitted to No 6 Australian Field Ambulance, 5 March 1917 (bayonet wound, arm); transferred to No 3 Casualty Clearing Station, 6 March 1917; to No 31 Ambulance Train, 7 March 1917; to No 12 General Hospital, Rouen, 8 March 1917; to England, 14 March 1917; to No 3 London General Hospital, Wandsworth, 15 March 1917; to No 3 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 2 April 1917; discharged to furlough, 5 April 1917, and to report to Command Depot, Hurdcott, 20 April 1917. Proceeded overseas to France from Infantry Draft Depot, Perham Downs, 9 May 1917; marched into 2nd Australian Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, 10 May 1917. Proceeded to unit, 13 May 1917; rejoined 23rd Bn, 14 May 1917. Promoted Temporary Sergeant, 14 May 1917. Promoted Sergeant, 12 June 1917. Detached to School of Instruction, 7 July 1917; rejoined unit, 19 July 1917. Proceeded to Cadet Bn, 2 November 1917; marched into No 4 Officers Cadet Bn, Oxford, 9 November 1917. Qualified for Commission in Infantry, 30 April 1918, and to retain rank of Cadet until commissioned. Marched into 5th Training Bn, Fovant, 10 May 1918. Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, 1 June 1918, and posted to General Infantry Reinforcements. Proceeded overseas to France, 11 June 1918; marched into Australian Intermediate Base Depot, Le Havre, 13 June 1918. Proceeded to unit, 16 June 1918; taken on strength of 23rd Bn, 17 June 1918. Killed in action, 4 July 1918. Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BREEN Gordon |