G. F. Gorringe

George Frederick Gorringe was the second son of Hugh and Louisa Gorringe of Kingston-by-Sea, and was born on 10 February 1868.[2]

He was educated at Lee's School Brighton, and Wellington College.[2] In 1886, he passed into the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and obtained his commission in the Royal Engineers on 17 February 1888.[3]

Gorringe in about 1917

Gorringe initially served at Chatham and Aldershot, and was promoted to Lieutenant on 17 February 1891. He was attached to the Egyptian Army in 1892-1899 and served with the Dongola Expedition of 1896 and with the Nile Expeditions of 1897-1899. He was promoted to Captain on 17 February 1899, and brevet Major the following day. In late November 1899 he commanded a Battalion of Irregular Sudanese troops during the operations leading to the defeat of the Khalifa (mentioned in despatches 25 November 1899[4]), and for his services in the Sudan he received the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel on 14 March 1900.[5] He then served in the South African War of 1899-1901, and was in November 1900 appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for his services.[6] Gorringe again served in the Egyptian Army in the Sudan 1902-1904.[2]

Knighted in 1915, his distinguished service during the First World War included command of the 3rd Indian Army Corps during operations up the Tigris in March to July 1916, and of the 47th (1/2nd London) Division in France in September 1916 to March 1919.[2]

In his despatch, to the Chief of the General Staff at British Indian Army Headquarters in Simla, on the operations in Mesopotamia from 19 January to 30 April 1916, Lt-Genl Sir Percy Lake, KCB reported the following:

"Major-General (temporary Lieut.-General) Sir G. F. Gorringe has rendered valuable service to the State. As Chief of the Staff to the Tigris Column from 28 January, and in command of the Column from 12 March onwards, he has shown untiring energy, ability and devotion in dealing with the many difficult situations which he had to face. He is a Commander of proved ability in the field."[7]

After the War, he commanded the 10th Division in Egypt from 1919 to 1921, rising to Lieutenant-General in 1921. He retired in 1924.[2]

Gorringe acted as Colonel Commandant of the Royal Engineers from 1927 to 1938.[2]

On 2 March 1901, Gorringe, as a Lieutenant-Colonel, formed a military court on the farm Riet Valley, near Middelburg, Cape Colony to try, in absentia, Hendrik Jacobus van Heerden. The President of the court was Captain CE Wilson of the East Lancashire Regiment. Van Heerden was executed by firing squad shortly after the court had reached its decision.[8]

Following the execution, Gorringe made the following statement:

"After the above Court had been held and the column I command were on the march towards Pearston I received by rider Lt Kirby's report. He was so badly wounded he could not attend. This report strictly confirmed Van Heerden's guilt and treachery and I caused it necessary to make a summary example on the spot. I could not wait for confirmation from higher authority as it was imperative that the enemy, then on the march to Pearston should be followed up without delay. I therefore confirmed the sentence which I ordered to be carried out without delay. I detached a squadron for that purpose." [8]

His nickname, Bloody Orange is rhyming slang. It was said to be appropriate for the commander of a division of London Territorials and also fitted his rude and unpleasant personality.[9]

He lived and farmed at Kingston by Sea until his death on 24 October 1945.[2] He was buried in the family plot in the north-west corner of St Julian’s churchyard.[10] St Julian's is now part of Shoreham-by-Sea.[11]

Siege of Kut