William Joseph Jordan
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The Right Honourable Sir William Joseph Jordan KCMG |
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|---|---|
 |
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| 7th High Commissioner from New Zealand to the United Kingdom | |
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In office 1 September 1936 – 31 August 1951 |
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| Preceded by | James Parr |
| Succeeded by | Frederick Doidge |
| 11th President of the Labour Party | |
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In office 1932–1933 |
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| Leader |
Harry Holland† Michael Joseph Savage |
| Preceded by | Rex Mason |
| Succeeded by | Frank Langstone |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
9 May 1879 Ramsgate, Kent, England |
| Died | 8 April 1959 (aged 79) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Political party | Labour Party |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | New Zealand Army |
| Rank |
 Warrant Officer |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Sir William "Bill" Joseph Jordan KCMG PC (19 May 1879 – 8 April 1959) was a New Zealand Labour Party Member of Parliament, and New Zealand's longest-serving High Commissioner to Great Britain from 1936 to 1951.
Jordan was born in Ramsgate, Kent, the son and grandson of sea captains. His father William Joseph Jordan was a member of the lifeboat crew that earned fame and exploits on the Goodwin Sands. His mother was Elizabeth Ann Catt. The decline of the local fishing industry forced the Jordan family to move to London. William then attended St Lukes Parochial School, Old Street in London and wore the characteristic old-fashioned uniform which was well known. Aged 12 he left school (1892) and became an apprentice coach painter, from which he resigned on account of the scourge of lead poisoning. He then entered the postal service in 1896 and reached a responsible position at Mount Pleasant (headquarters of the Postal service). While there, he showed his preference in politics by joining the Fawcett Association. Jordan later joined the London Metropolitan Police and underwent training at Scotland Yard, afterwards being stationed at Limehouse in East End of London. He was also a member of the part-time 3rd London Rifle Volunteer Corps, rising to the rank of sergeant.
Jordan emigrated to New Zealand in 1904, initially working as a labourer and bush farming. He joined the Labour Party in 1907, as the first secretary of the Wellington branch of the Party.
Unlike many other early Labour Party leaders, e.g. Harry Holland, Michael Joseph Savage and Peter Fraser, Jordan was not a conscientious objector. He enlisted in the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force in France in 1917. In March 1918, Jordan saw action for the first time, and suffered serious wounds in action two weeks later. He transferred to the Army Education Service, where he served as an instructor until the end of the war, returning to New Zealand in 1919.
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