John Gorman (politician)
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Sir John Gorman Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly | |
|---|---|
| In office 31 January 2000 – 19 February 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Jim Wilson |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for North Down | |
| In office 25 June 1998 – 26 November 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Leslie Cree |
| Chair of the Northern Ireland Forum | |
| In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998 | |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Forum | |
| In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998 | |
| Constituency | Top-up list |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Reginald Gorman 1 February 1923 Glasgow University Harvard Business School |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1946 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Service number | 225172 |
| Unit | Irish Guards |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Military Cross Croix de Guerre |
Sir John Reginald Gorman
Early life
He was born at Mullaghmore House, Omagh in 1923 and educated at Rockport School[2] in Holywood Co Down, Loreto Convent Grammar School (Omagh), Portora Royal School,
World War II
When the
On 18 July 1944, while taking part in Operation Goodwood, he was commanding a group of M4 Sherman tanks east of Cagny that suddenly encountered a mixed group of four German tanks at a range of only 300 yards (270 m). The group included one of the formidable Tiger II heavy tanks. As he knew his Sherman's gun would have little effect on the Tiger's thick armour, Gorman ordered his driver to ram the German tank. Gorman's gunner had time to fire one round before impact, but the shell was an explosive one, not armour piercing, and had little effect.[4]
Both tanks were disabled by the collision and both crews immediately abandoned their vehicles. The last to leave the Sherman was the assistant driver, whose exit was slowed by his hatch being blocked. Once clear of the tank, he followed a group of men who were running for a nearby ditch, only to discover after joining them that they were the German tank crew. They glared at him, so he simply saluted and ran off to join his own crew.[4]
While his crew took shelter, Gorman ran to fetch a Sherman Firefly, a Sherman fitted with the powerful, British 17-pounder anti-tank gun. One of the Firefly's four crew had been decapitated and two others were in shock, but Gorman was able to remove the body and take command of the tank.[3] With the Firefly, he was able to complete the destruction of both the Tiger II and his disabled Sherman. He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions, while his driver, Lance-Corporal James Baron, was awarded the Military Medal.[4] Gorman was promoted to the rank of captain. However, this account is contested by the German tank's gunner, Gefreiter Thaysen, who said that his commander ordered to back up, hitting the Sherman with its rear. Thaysen's testimony also contradicts Gorman finishing off the Tiger II with a Sherman Firefly.
Later in the war, Gorman took part in Operation Market Garden, the unsuccessful attempt to break through German lines in the Netherlands and advance into Northern Germany. The Irish Guards were a leading part of the ground part of the operation and Gorman's tanks reached the bridge at Nijmegen before the operation was called off.[3]
Post-war career
After the war, Gorman left the army and joined the
He left the police in the early 1960s to become head of security for the British Overseas Airways Corporation. He later became head of personnel, then manager of the airline's operations in Canada, and then manager for South Asia. He left the airline in 1979 and returned to Northern Ireland.[3]
Political career
After an assorted career, during which he was for a time Chief Executive of the
Honours
He was knighted in the
References
- ^ a b "Sir John Gorman: War hero and unionist politician dies aged 91". BBC.co.uk. 27 May 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ^ Rockport Alumni http://www.rockportschool.com/old-rockportians-2/ Archived 3 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e f "Obituary - Sir John Gorman". The Daily Telegraph. 28 May 2014. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
- ^ a b c "Obituaries: James Baron". The Daily Telegraph. 12 September 2002. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
- ^ Assembly debate on resignation as Deputy Speaker Archived 25 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine, theyworkforyou.com; accessed 23 October 2014.
- ^ "Gorman set to retire from Assembly" Archived 2 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine, bbc.co.uk, 17 September 2002; accessed 23 October 2014.
External links
- British Army Officers 1939−1945
- Death marked of Sir John Gorman, niassembly.gov.uk; accessed 23 October 2014.
- Extract from autobiography, ulster-scots.co.uk; accessed 23 October 2014.
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