Vivian Gordon (1881-1915), director of Avonside Engine Co
1916 Obituary [1]
Captain VIVIAN GORDON was born at Buckhurst Hill, Essex, on 18th May 1881.
He was educated at a private school and later at Harrow School, after which he served four years with the Gordon Highlanders and went through the South African War.
In June 1904 he became an articled pupil of Messrs. Willans and Robinson, Rugby, and from March to August 1905 he was also an articled pupil of Mr. D. Earle Marsh, Locomotive Superintendent of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, being employed in the Running Department as a pupil fireman.
In September of that year he entered the City and Guilds of London Central Technical College as a third-year student in the Civil and Mechanical Engineering Course.
He was next for two years as an articled pupil with Sir Douglas Fox and Partners, and then in June 1909 he became a director of The Avonside Engine Co., Ltd., Bristol, being jointly responsible with another director for the management and control of the business of the Company.
On the outbreak of the War he received a Lieutenancy in the 4th Gloucester Regiment, and was afterwards exchanged to the 8th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.
Shortly afterwards he received a Commission as Captain and proceeded to the Front, where he was killed at the Battle of Loos on 25th September 1915, at the age of thirty-four.
He was elected a Graduate of this Institution in 1906, and an Associate Member in 1910.
1916 Obituary [2]
VIVIAN GORDON, born on the 18th May, 1881, was killed in action in France on the 25th September, 1915.
He gained his practical experience with Messrs. Willans and Robinson and on the engineering staff of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, and subsequently he was an assistant with Sir Douglas Fox and Partners.
Having served with distinction through the South African campaign, he rejoined his old regiment, the Gordon Highlanders, on the outbreak of war, and was gazetted captain in the 8th Battalion.
He was elected an Associate Member of the Institution on the 23rd April, 1907.