“Pte. Gordon Thomas Mitchell, who is reported in a recent casualty list of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force as died of wounds, is the only son of Mr and Mrs J. A. Mitchell, of Thames road, Paeroa. Born in Paeroa 22 years ago, Pte. Mitchell spent all his life in the district, attending the Paeroa District High School. He took a keen interest in all sport, playing both rugby and tennis. On leaving school Pte. Mitchell for a period was employed at the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company’s Paeroa factory. Pte. Mitchell joined the Armed Forces prior to the outbreak of war and has served with the Forces in New Zealand and recently with the New Zealand Division in North Africa.” [Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3253, 16 April 1943, Page 5]