GORTON, EDWARD (1838-1909) was the son of the rector of Badingham, Suffolk. He was educated at Marlborough College and got his ensigncy in the 29th Regiment (1855). He served in India and Burma (1857-59) and exchanged into the 57th, which he joined in Taranaki. He was aide-de-camp to General Cameron in the Waikato and distinguished himself at Katikara. He became a major in the New Zealand militia, commanding the Wellington and Wairarapa district, and was commended for his promptness in arming the Wairarapa settlers and preventing the spread of Hauhauism. Promoted lieut-colonel, Gorton was given command of Wanganui (1865-69) and had control also of the colonial commissariat and transport after the withdrawal of the British troops. He took the field in 1869 as quartermaster-general under Whitmore, and provisioned the troops on the march at the back of Egmont. Inspector-general of stores (1869), and of all government stores, civil and military (1871), he resigned in 1878 to enter into business with John Stevens as Stevens and Gorton, land and stock auctioneers, Feilding (later Gorton and Son). He was two years chairman of the Bulls town board and some time on the Rangitikei road board. Gorton married (1863) Nora Mary, daughter of John Stephenson Smith. He published (1901) Some Home Truths re the Maori War (1863-69).

Gorton, op. cit.; Wellington P.C. Proc., 1864; Cowan; Whitmore; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Gudgeon (p); N.Z. Times, 31 Dec 1909.

Reference: Volume 1, page 172

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