Rorrison, J J (John James)
Guardsman John Rorrison was the son of William John and Margaret Rorrison, of Coleraine. He was serving with the Irish Guards Training Battalion when he passed away. John was with the battalion in West Sussex, England.
John had a poor record within the army regarding ammunition and had just been arrested for going AWOL.[1] During the process of his last arrest he fought back with the escort. His punishment for doing so was seven days of punishment in the field.
For some reason during the punishment, John put his rifle against a table. He then created a contraption using twig and twine that could operate the trigger of a rifle. John then loaded the weapon with bullets which he was not supposed to have. This he then set against his stomach and duly activated the mechanism which he had created. Guardsman Rorrison sustained a serious gunshot wound to his stomach.
John was then rushed to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead. He urgently needed blood but unfortunately it was too late for him when they arrived, and he passed away.
Son of William John and Margaret Rorrison, of Coleraine.
Date of Death: Died 21/11/1944 (Aged 19)
Service: Guardsman, Irish Guards
Service Number: 6985610
Burial Location: Section E. Grave 2602.
[1] AWOL is absent without leave.