More about John Adamson Lorimer

For reasons unknown this man is not listed on the original Dundee Roll of Honour.

John has an interesting story.  He was a married man and 37 years old at the time of his enlistment and living at Lilly Cottage, Westhaven Carnoustie and previous to that at Stannergate Cottage in what is now West Ferry Dundee.   His parents were resident in Broughty Ferry and John’s birth was registered in Monifieth albeit this was probably because this was closer to his parents then home than travelling to Dundee to register his birth.
He initially enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps on 28 January 1915  attending the RAMC Training Centre in February 1915.  From his service record we can glean that he elected to transfer out of the RAMC and his choice was to the Royal Scots.  Perhaps,  he felt the need for a more combatant role or perhaps just didn’t feel suited to performing in a medical role in the field.  He was transferred to the 3rd (Reserve) Bn Royal Scots where he completed his infantry training and was posted to the Regular Army 2nd Bn Royal Scots on 23 August 1915,   He will have joined the Battalion in time to take part in the 8 Bde of 3rd Division’s attack on Bellewaarde,  which was one of three diversionary attacks in support of the Battle of Loos and intended to prevent German forces being moved to support the Loos battle. He is recorded to have been wounded at this time with a gunshot wound to his hand.
He remained with his battalion throughout the next year or more until at the Battle of The Ancre on 13 November 1916 he made the final sacrifice.  His Battalion was attacking the incredibly well defended village of Serre.   In this endeavour they were unsuccessful although it said that a small contingent of 2 R Scots reached German Trenches on the outskirts of Serre but were insufficiently equipped or supported and hence withdrew.  Despite success in the Battle of the Ancre just a few hundreds of yards South of Serre at Beaumont Hamel and a mile or so further South at Hohenzollern Redoubt,  the attack on Serre resulted in huge losses to assaulting Bns and no gains of ground.   Amongst those lost was John Adamson Lorimer who left a wife and child by now resident in Montrose.

John A. Lorimer   23764   Royal Scots

MONTROSE ROYAL SCOT MISSING.

Mrs Lorimer, who with her two children reside on Rossie Island, has received official intimation that her husband, Private John Lorimer, Royal Scots, has been missing since 13th November.  He was wounded recently.  Private Lorimer, who was about 38 years of age, was formerly a driver in the employment of Broughty Ferry and Dundee  Tramway Company.

Dundee Evening Telegraph 4th April 1917

KILLED IN ACTION.

Private John Lorimer, Royal Scots, who was reported missing since 13th November, 1916, has now been officially reported killed in action at Serre on that date.

Prior to taking up residence at Daisy Cottage, Rossie Island, Montrose, with his wife and family deceased, who came of a seafaring race, and also followed that calling himself, resided in Carnoustie.

He enlisted in 1915, and had been at the front for about fifteen months before he was killed in action.

Montrose Review  8th December 1916