Gordon Short is celebrating being 100 years old by bowling 100 ends at 20 clubs across Devon. On Tuesday 3rd August Gordon came to Tiverton Borough Bowling Club to play 5 ends against Club Captain Lloyd. The result was not as important as the taking part. Gordon broke a hip only two weeks ago but determined as ever, he played the game in a wheelchair!
Gordon has had a remarkable life and has always played an active role in the Devon community. This latest ambition is being driven by the desire to show that the game of bowls can be played by all ages and also to raise money for Devon Air Ambulance. Any donations can be made to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Gordon-Short100
More information on Gordon is below.
Born in 1921, Gordon was diagnosed with polio in his younger years and suffered paralysis below the neck until he was 8 years old when he regained control of his limbs and learned to walk. During childhood he also suffered septicaemia and double pneumonia. Despite this he gained a full education and was later considered A1 ‘fighting fit’ when it came to enrolling in the army in 1939, aged 18. During his 7 years serving in the army (WW2) Gordon survived a bombing on his transit through the Mediterranean, as well as advances through unforgiving jungles and crossing a minefield found on the way to Rangoon, after battle of Kohima (Burma) - he is one of a handful of over 100 year old active Burma Star Veterans.
By the end of the war Gordon was a Captain of the British Army (he would probably have made Major but got demoted because he took the Colonels girlfriend out on a date and the Colonel found out!)
Outside of wartime service, Gordon is a real philanthropist and has dedicated his life to serving his local community. With 30 years in his local parish council, 13 years as county councillor, 33 years of service as secretary, chairman, vice chair to the British Association of Seed and Agricultural Merchants, plus many years spent serving various other committees, such as Devon County Show his community work has been an integral part of his adult life.
This need to support his community was inherited from his father who, when he and his fellow WW1 comrades began to miss the brotherhood they once shared, donated a section of his land and arranged for an Army Hut to be erected there. This hut became a club house for ex-servicemen, who came to play skittles and have enjoyed an anniversary dinner there every single year since 1923 (98 years - except the years it was being repaired). This Comrades Club then merged with the local village hall, which is still actively used and today boasts a skittle hall and billiard room.
He was the loving husband of Joyce (who died aged 97), father of John, Graham and Nigel, Grandfather to 6 and Great-Grandfather to 5.
It is Gordon’s son Graham who has challenged his 100 year old dad to this incredible challenge which is to play 5 ends of Bowls, at 20 different clubs across Devon. (5x20=100 to recognise Gordon’s 100 years), in support of Devon Air Ambulance.
Currently a member of the South Molton Bowling Club, Gordon’s interest in bowls was also inherited, and he has passed his love for the game on to his children which has now become a family hobby. Gordon was elected President of Devon Bowling Assoc in 1993, and has played across the world in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as well as Portugal, Spain, the United States and Canada.
So, challenge duly accepted, Gordon’s first game was due to take place on July 20th at the Plymouth Hoe Bowling Club, where Sir Francis Drake was informed of the invasion of the Spanish Amada, he didn’t let that stop his game. Gordon's broken hip will not stop Gordon from his!
Gordon will be chaperoned on his journey across Devon and aims to complete the programme at Plymouth as part of the rescheduled dates following breaking his hip on 16th July.