THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

MITCHELL Gordon Ross

9/181, Major, Otago Mounted Rifles, XXII Corps Mounted Troops

822332 Colonel, New Zealand Home Guard, WW2

21048 Legion of Frontiersmen, New Zealand

CITATION

Distinguished Service Order

Major, Otago Mounted Rifles, 22nd Corps, Mounted Troops

Gazetted 18 January 1919, p1024

Gazetted 1 February 1919, p1616

For conspicuous gallantry during the operations on the Somme from 22 August to 18 September 1918.  This officer with his squadron was attached to the division on the left flank and during the whole time, owing to this splendid leadership, his squadron obtained information of the utmost value.  On the 24th August in the vicinity of La Boiselle when the position was obscure, he personally went forward under heavy machine gun and shell fire, and brought back most valuable information to divisional headquarters. Several times during the operations he made personal reconnaissances and obtained most reliable information.

Mention in Despatches

Captain, Mounted Rifles

Gazetted 1 June 1917, p5429

For distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty.  Field Marshal D. Haig.  Commander-in-Chief the British Armies in France, despatch of 9 th April 1917

Mention in Despatches

Major, Otago Mounted Rifles

Gazetted 11 July 1919, p8836

For distingushed and gallant services and devotion to duty during the period 16 September 1918 to 15 March 1919.

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Service Order

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

       Mention in Despatches (2)

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

Coronation Medal 1937

Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers Decoration

Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal

New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal

New Zealand Territorial Service Medal

Gallipoli Medallion

Gallipoli Lapel Badge

Frontiersmen Long Service & Efficiency Medal (Awarded in 1966)

NOTES

Born 24 September 1887

Died 23 April 1971, Montecillo War Veteran's Home, Dunedin, New Zealand

Buried Anderson's Bay Cemetery, Dunedin

Also served at Gallipoli with the Main Body

Was an early member of the Legion of Frontiersmen in New Zealand, he joined in the 1920's.