Gordon Cecil Buckingham Champion was born at Parramatta, New South Wales in 1898 to parents Cecil and Emma. He worked as a clerk for the public service and was serving in the 20th Infantry Regiment as a Senior Cadet before he enlisted on 5 September 1916. He was assigned to the 2nd Divisional Artillery Column with the rank of driver.
Champion embarked from Sydney on 9 November 1916 aboard HMAT Benalla and arrived at Devonport, England on 9 January 1917. He marched into Larkhill military camp the following day.
While serving, Champion consistently wrote letters to his girlfriend Dorothea Ellen Adams, who he addressed as 'Dorrie'. Dorrie and Gordon grew up living within a mile of each other in Parramatta and had attended the same preschool together.
After staff duty in England, Champion was transferred to join the 1st Divisional Artillery Column in Belgium on 1st October 1917. In August 1918, he was on the field with the 1st Divisional Artillery Column. His letters to Dorrie describe what he saw during the fights of that month.
Champion entered the Australian Corps School in January 1919. It was whilst playing rugby at this school that he fractured his collar bone. After a month in hospital, he was granted leave and ordered to complete his training at an overseas training brigade in England.
Champion left London for Australia on 23 July aboard HT Main and arrived in Sydney on 15 October 1919. He was discharged on 29 November 1919 and married Dorrie in 1922. Gordon Cecil Buckingham Champion died suddenly at Parramatta on 17 August 1945.