Notes Brought to workhouse by Police, friends live at 177 Eastern Road, Brighton
Oliver Gordon's mother, Agnes Robinson, had been residing at Battersea Rise, but deserted and her whereabouts were unknown when Oliver was admitted to Norwood School, Lambeth Union, on November 12, 1896. His putative father, George Brown of "Walmer Castle" Peckliany [sic] was paying 5/- per week (see Collectors Ledger No 2).
Oliver was discharged to Barnardo's Home on January 1, 1900.
In 1900, Oliver Gordon, 10, arrived at Quebec, Canada, in a group of 101 Barnardo boys en route to Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Placed with I H Richardson, farmer, Bethany, Cavan Twp, Durham, Ontario
June 6 1902
Age 15, first class home, employed working about the house and fowls, healthy, attends Methodist Church and Public School, character-thoroughly reliable. Terms-the first two years-board and clothing then $100 distributed over a term of three years. They give an excellent report and are highly pleased with Gordon. He is generally healthy but is susceptible to colds, and has to be careful in this regard. He is a fine mannerly looking little boy, and will I believe do well here.
{website}collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/orders/001022-119.01-e.php?&sisn_id_nbr=84447&page_sequence_nbr=1&interval=20&&page_id_nbr=200257
On July 4, 1916, at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Oliver Gordon, 27, enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces. He declared that he resided at 1129 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; that he was born in Brighton, Sussex, England; that his next of kin was his friend, Mrs. Edith Burt, who resided at 720 Vancouver Street, British Columbia, Canada; that his date of birth was May 1, 1889; that he was an undertaker; and that he was not married. He was described as 5 foot 5 inches in height; dark complexion; brown eyes; dark hair. He was a member of the Presbyterian faith.
Private Oliver Gordon died on November 6, 1918, in Belgium. He is buried at the Quivrain Communal Cemetery (Grave Reference: A. 26).