De Ruvigny Roll of Honour Vol 2 page 141
John Alexander Gorrie was born on the 14th October 1891, at Gogar Park, Corstorphine, Midlothian. The only child of David Sword Gorrie, of Parklands, Castle Eden, Durham, Park Keeper, and his wife Mary, daughter of Alexander Nelson.
He was educated at the Brinkburn School, Technical College, West Hartlepool, and Skerry's College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was chief clerk at Blackhall Colliery Offices.
John volunteered and re-enlisted on the 17th September 1914, and was stationed at Hartlepool during the bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th December 1914.
He went to Eygpt on the 7th December 1915, sailing on the Empress of Britain. On this trip, 13th December, the Empress of Britain collided with the French, empty troopship the Djuradjure which was returning from Salonika, and had almost cut her in two by the engine room. The troops stood to in their quarters and remained perfectly calm and quiet. The crew of 62 from the French ship plus the wife of the French Ambassador were taken on board. Two of the French Stokers were killed.
Empress of Britain arrived at Malta, but the troops were refused permission to visit the island.
On December 21st, they reached Port Said and were disembarked to a tented camp just South of the Port.
He then went to France on the 11th March 1916. Into the firing line on the 22nd March, and was killed in action on the 27th July 1916, during the repulse of a German raid on Neuve Chapelle.
Lieutenant-Colonel Bowes, his Commanding Officer, wrote:- His death has been a severe blow to the battalion, for he was so well liked by all ranks, and everyone knew him, officers and men alike, and his sterling good work and grit on every occasion brought him to notice so frequently.
And the Adjutant: In view of the sad death of Sergeant Gorrie, it is impossible for a decoration to be awarded; but I feel that you would like to know that his name was sent forward officially as follows: For conspicuous bravery when on the night of 2nd July, opposite Serre, having been granted permission, went out again and again into 'No Man's Land under considerable rifle and machine-gun fire and brought in wounded men. He again asked permission to go out to the enemy lines to bring in further wounded men, but permission was refused. He was not married
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
The following lines were written and dedicated to Sgt. Gorrie by a soldier friend, who was wounded about the same time as Sgt. Gorrie, but only left the hospital early this year (1917) and died shortly after arriving home:
“To the memory of my comrade and friend Sergt. J.A. Gorrie, 18th D.L.I. killed in action at Neuve Chapelle, July 27th, 1918.
“Unselfish, smiling to the end,
His country’s honour to defend
His hopes, ambitions, life he gave.
His sole reward – 'A soldier’s grave'.
‘Tis ever thus, the best man goes,
And leaves behind a grief that grows.
God rest him now; throughout his span
He was in thought and deed a man."
(Sergt. R.H. Cleminson, 18th D.L.I., Oaklands Red Cross Hospital, Cranleigh, Surrey, June, 1917).
John Alexander Gorrie is remembered in Castle Eden C102.01 and C102.02, in Hartlepool on H115.30, in West Hartlepool on W111.01 and W111.54
