Roosters’ Michael Gordon to honour his great uncle’s sacrifice in ANZAC Day game

Roosters fullback Michael Gordon reveals what this incredible photo of a wartime execution means to his family - and why it will inspire him in today’s Anzac clash with the Dragons.

FOR now, the photograph sits in storage. Future unknown. Michael Gordon torn not only over where and how the image hangs, but if he displays it at all.

“Because,’’ the Roosters fullback says softly, “this isn’t something you put up for everyone to see”.

But still, he wants everyone to know.

For when Gordon finally runs out for his Anzac Day debut — when he stands, goosebumped, through The Ode, The Last Post, even those eerie silences either side — it will be for the grainy picture reprinted here.

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Leonard Siffleet about to be executed by Japanese officer Yasuno Chikao. The Gordon family treasures the image, but never speaks about it.

A photo this NRL veteran has waited 209 NRL games to honour. So go on, check it out.

Have a good, close look at that young Digger from Gunnedah who, blindfolded and kneeling, head bowed slightly forward, awaits execution near the New Guinea village of Aitape during World War II.

Stoic even despite that samurai sword which, in the hands of Japanese soldier Yasuno Chikao, is captured overhead at the peak of its swing.

More than an iconic piece of Australian wartime history, this image also unites the entire Gordon clan. Yet still, they never speak of it.

For the man on his knees is Sergeant Len Siffleet. An Australian commando from M Special Unit. And the brother of Gordon’s grandfather.

“So this photo, it’s extremely important to my family,” the footballer explains. “But also hard for them to see.”

Michael Gordon, right, with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ahead of the Anzac Day match today at Allianz at 4pm. Photo: Brett Costello

Indeed, for the Gordons this isn’t the story of a soldier, but a brother, a son, even a fiance. A fella who aged 27, endures as the embodiment of sacrifice.

For it was during September, 1943 when Sgt Siffleet, patrolling in New Guinea with a small team, was ambushed by villagers helping the Japanese.

Captured, interrogated and tortured for two weeks — where it is said he gave up little — Gordon’s great uncle was then walked down to Aitape beach and the longsword of Chikao.

The date: October 24.

“My birthday,’’ the Rooster smiles.

Which is some story.

Len Siffleet, who was captured in September 1943 when a New Guinea village was ambushed, with fiance Clarice Lane at Circular Quay in Sydney.

Same deal the photograph initially being discovered, a year later, on the body of a dead Japanese soldier in Jayapura, Indonesia, some 200km away.

At first, the Digger was wrongly identified as Flight Lieutenant Bill Newton, a pilot and Victoria Cross recipient, and published in newspapers around Australia and Life magazine, given its status as the only existing image of a POW being executed by the Japanese.

“But some time later, my pop identified the picture and said ‘this is my brother’,’’ Gordon continues. “Then his incredible story came to light.

“Pop got a lot of publicity, which I don’t think he ever wanted. He’s super proud of his brother, we all are, but it’s not something we talk about.

“Same with the photo ... my family prefers pictures of Len smiling in civilian life.’’

And some of these, Gordon has also been entrusted with.

“In primary school, I was doing an assignment on World War II,’’ he explains. “So my nan dropped over of a heap of newspaper articles, war bonds, all sorts of stuff.

“And going through it all I came across the photograph. To discover it was my great uncle ... crazy.”

Confronting, too.

“Still don’t know much about him as a bloke,’’ Gordon concedes of his great uncle. “Probably never will. I haven’t spoken about it to pop because I think, sometimes, things are best left alone.

“Like the photograph, maybe one day I’ll frame it. Keep it close so when anyone asks, yeah, I can show it to them. But despite how proud I am, it’s not really something you display on the mantle.”

No, it isn’t. Which is why at Allianz Stadium, this debut means everything. A chance for Gordon, finally, to do the only thing a fella can with a photograph like that.

Honour it.