ROSS-SODEN, Gordon

Gordon Ross-Soden's only game for Essendon was in Round 3, 1906, in a win over Melbourne.

He was better known as a rower in the victorious Australian Eight in England in 1912.

He was a grazier and part-owner (with his brother Alfred) of "New Park", near Morundah in NSW. He sailed to England in 1915 to enlist in the Royal Air Force as there was no equivalent in Australia at the time. He was stationed at Reading and served in Motor Transport. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps No. 14 in 1916 and became Wing Instructor of Aerial Gunnery at Hythe.

He flourished in the RFC and became Permanent Instructor on Engines and Construction of Aeroplanes and later an instructor in air gunnery. He tested over 60 types of aircraft.

While serving in France with the 56th Squadron, he was wounded in an air battle and was sent to hospital in England. He was assessed as unfit for active duty and was posted to Brooklands in Surrey to resume aircraft testing.

He returned to Australia after the War but was declared bankrupt because of debts incurred by his wife. They divorced and he became a pilot in New Guinea.

Ross-Soden died of Blackwater fever on 20th March, 1931, at Salamoa in New Guinea. He was only 42 years old.