Charles Gordon (SN 2436) was born in Scotland but was working as a farrier in Sydney at the time of his enlistment on August 28th 1914. A few days earlier he had married Bessie Turner, declaring his name to be George Irwin, aged 42. Bessie was originally recorded as his next of kin under the name Bessie Irwin Gordon, with Charles giving his age as 37, presumably to improve his chance of enlistment. He embarked from Sydney on board the Argyllshire in October, arriving in Egypt as the Gallipoli campaign was ending where, twelve months later, he was appointed driver. Posted to France in April 1916, he joined the 1st Divisional Ammunition Column in September and was seconded to the Anzac Corps the following April. For his service there, he was mentioned in Routine Orders in October 1917: 'The Army Corps Commander expressed appreciation of gallant services rendered during recent operations.' The remainder of his service in France passed without major incident although he was hospitalised a number of times in the early months of 1918 with rheumatism, sciatica and trench foot, which eventually resulted in his evacuation to England in April. He returned to Australia on board the Essex in August and was discharged on October 17th 1918.

While serving in France in 1917, he changed the name of his next of kin to that of his first wife, Harriet, who he had married in Woolwich, England, in 1904. His service record doesn't divulge the results of the army's numerous attempts to resolve his marital status, although Charles doesn't appear to have been very forthcoming! In any event, he resumed life in Australia under the George Irwin alias.

Two of his brothers also served in the AIF and are honoured with adjacent trees in the Avenue. James was killed at Fromelles in 1916 and Harold was wounded at Passchendaele in 1917 but returned home. His brother in law Samuel Davey also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.