A former Director and founding member of the Military Heritage of Ireland Trust CLG, Sir John Reginald Gorman CVO CBE MC, has died.
Speaking on the notification of the sad news, the Chairman of the Military Heritage of Ireland Trust, Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd), stated:
“The Directors and all members of the Trust are deeply saddened at the news of the death of Sir John Gorman RIP. Sir John was a highly respected founding member of the Trust and served for numerous years as a Director. His experiences service and expertise were instrumental in shaping the Trust’s ethos, vision, mission and objectives. Sir John’s enduring legacy ensures a cross border dimension that fully understands and appreciates the role of the Irish Soldier in Ireland’s unique military heritage. On behalf of the Trust, I convey our deepest sympathies to Sir John’s family, colleagues and friends.”
Born in Mullaghmore House, County Tyrone in 1923, Sir John was educated at Loreto Convent Grammar School in Omagh, Rockport School, Hailebury College, Glasgow University and Harvard Business School. Sir John’s Father, Major J.K. Gorman MC was the Royal Irish Constabulary Officer who handed over the Phoenix Park Depot in Dublin to General Michael Collins.
During the Second World War, Sir John served as a Captain in the 2nd Armoured Battalion, Irish Guards. He was awarded the British Military Cross for his actions on 18 July 1944, near Cagny in Normandy. Sir John was also a recipient of the French Croix de Guerre. After the war, he served for seventeen years with the RUC, rising to the rank of District Inspector. Sir John was regional manager for British Airways from 1969 to 1979 and president of the British Canadian Trade Association from 1972 to 1974.
In 1998 as a member of the Ulster Unionist Party, Sir John represented North Down in the Northern Ireland Assembly and served as a Deputy Speaker of the Assembly until 2002. He was Chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Chair of the Northern Ireland Forum. Sir John was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday honours list in 1998 and was a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of County Down.
Quis Separabit
Rest in Peace
