William John Gorrod

A Private with Plymouth Battalion, Royal Naval Division, William died on 23rd of July 1915 at the age of 25. 

William was born at Lowestoft on 2 July 1890, a son of William George and Martha Gorrod. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 7 September 1890 and his family lived at 9 Church Road, Lowestoft. By 1901 William's father had died and his family lived at 4 Raglan Street Lowestoft.

William was working as a billiard maker when he joined the Royal Navy on 21 August 1910 to serve as an Officer's Steward 2nd Class. He was discharged to shore, 'unsuitable', on 29 December 1910.  

William was working as a valet when he joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry, at Bristol, on 3 October 1914. He joined H Company of the Plymouth Division: this was part of the Royal Naval Division. From 6 February 1915 he served in the Mediterranean.  

On 19 July 1915 William was admitted to 21st General Hospital, Alexandria, suffering from enteric fever. He died there at 3.40 p.m. on 23 July 1915. 

The following appeared in the Lowestoft Journal 7 August 1915, page 4:

DIED AT ALEXANDRIA

Mr. G.R. Gorrod, of 30 Lorne Park Road, South Lowestoft, has received a letter from the Admiralty announcing the death of his brother Private W.J. Gorrod, at Alexandria. The deceased, who was the youngest son of the late Mr. W.F. Gorrod of Lowestoft and Haddiscoe, was 24 years of age. He enlisted at the outbreak of war in the R.M.L.I., and was serving in the Plymouth Battalion. He was a bright and promising young man. For several years he was a chorister in Saint Andrews Church choir, Lowestoft, and he was frequently called upon to assist at concerts in connection with that church. He was employed for some time at Mr. E.F. Thain's, The Bridge, Lowestoft. Much sympathy is felt for the family in their bereavement. 

William is commemorated on Saint Margaret's War Memorial.