Murdered New Zealander

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1922, Page 4

Murdered New Zealander

MR W. J. JORDAN’S CAREER. WELLINGTON, February 21. The victim of the Cairo assassination reported in the cables, is Mr W. JJordan, a New Zealander who had dis-’ tinguished and varied war service. Mr Jordan was a native of Wellington, and an engineer by profession. For nine years he was in the employ of the New Zealand Shipping Co, Ltd. At the outbreak of war he volunteered hut while Inis name was on the “waiting” list lie enlisted as a private, in the British Army. In Flanders, early in 1915, lie earned a commission and was sent to the Woolwich Ordnance College

for an intensive course in guns and explosives. He passed with distinction the examination for an inspector of ordnance, and was stationed at Plymouth for some time, inspecting coast defences. Later he was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean, and took part in Lord AUenby’s advance from Beersheba to Aleppo. He personally supervised the destruction of the big German naval guns on Mount Carmel. After the armistice he was in charge of the 22nd. Corps Artillery, and he took a part in quelling the Egyptian revolt in 1919. He was then shot through the hand by a native. Afterwards he was sent to South Russia with a .supply of artillery for General

Wrangel. As an artillery expert be served with distinction under General Wrangel, and was awarded the Vladimir Medal. Air Jordan returned to New Zealand in July 1920, and renamed here for about a year. During that time lie furnished a report to the War Office on part of 'the plant and equipment which was being acquired by die New Zealand Defence Department. Towards the end of last year he was offered, and accepted a position as part of the establishment of the Asiatic Petroleum Company at Cairo, and lie had reached bis destination only at the. beginning of this year. Captain Jourdan was 39 years of age and unmarried. His widowed mother and sisters reside in Wellington, and his only brother, Mr T. Jordan, is in practice as a hamster and solicitor at Master ton.