Yet it is wonderful to think what a difference it makes to one’s ideas when you decide to place some 16,000 miles between all your own best friends and your solitary self. Your solitary self goes forth alone. You go into new worlds, you leave behind all the pals of your youth, all those whose friendship in after life would be an anchor to you; all those sweet girls whom you love, all those relations who always protested they were so ready and keen to help you in your troubles, but who, when the time of trouble comes, suddenly have so many troubles of their own that they really can do nothing for you; but the one whom you feel most to leave behind is your mother.

On the day following the news of my appointment I called at Government House. My Woolwich mate, Johnny Jervois, was more than delighted at the result of his advice to me to remain in Adelaide. He and I had some exciting times later on when the Russian scare occurred in Australia in 1885; of which, more presently. His Excellency the Governor, Sir William, gave me much encouragement by the kind way in which he received me, and I need hardly say that I felt somewhat overcome by what appeared to me the extraordinary kindness of my South Australian friends. With the exception of my having been at Woolwich with young Jervois, all were strangers to me on my arrival in Adelaide. My resignation having been accepted I had ceased to be a policeman, and I felt at full liberty to accept any of the many invitations which were kindly given to me for the forthcoming festive season. It was a happy Christmas and New Year’s time. My Christmas Day was spent with the general and his charming wife and family, at their home at Mitcham, near Adelaide.

On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day respectively I was the guest of the Governor and the new Commissioner, Mr. Peterswald. I also obtained permission from the Commissioner to invite my late police comrades to a social evening at their barracks. That evening is one of the happiest recollections of my life. During the months I had been with them I had had no occasion, either as their instructor or while in charge of the barracks, to find any fault with their work. We had been brought closely together, and, if at times a few hard words had to be spoken as regards their duties, they fully recognized that they were merited, and they bore no personal ill-will. The South Australian Police were then, and have been since, and are now, an efficient and fine body of men.

On January 1, 1882, I took up my duties at the Military Staff Office. My mind was made up not to fail, but to give effect to the vision I had, at the time of my interview with the general, which had pointed to the Commandant’s chair as my future lot.

How it was realized you will learn as you read on.

MILITARY APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOSEPH MARIA GORDON, C.B.

1874—Joined Military Academy, Woolwich.
1876—Lieutenant, Royal Artillery.
1881—Police Instructor, South Australia.
1882—Staff Instructor, Military Forces, South Australia.
" —Lieutenant Commanding South Australian Permanent Artillery.
1883—Captain.
1885—Major.
1892—Lieutenant-Colonel on the Staff.
" —Acting Commandant.
1893—Colonel on the Staff.
" —Commandant, South Australian Military Forces.
1896—Re-appointed Commandant, under new Defence Act.
1898—Inspector, Warlike Stores, and Military Adviser for Australian Colonies, in England.
1899—Returned to South Australia, Commandant.
" —Special Service Officer, South African War.
1900—Colonel, Imperial Land Forces.
" —Chief Staff Officer to all Overseas Colonial Forces, on the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Roberts.
" —and commanded a Mounted Column, South Africa.
" —Brigadier-General, Adelaide.
1901—Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
1902—Commandant of the State of Victoria.
1905—Commandant of the State of New South Wales.
1912—Chief of the General Staff, Commonwealth Military Forces, and First Member of the Military Board of Control, Australia.
Retired, owing to age limit, 1st August, 1914.