User:Ashattock/Major Harry Vaughan Gorle D.S.O, A.S.C

Major Harry Vaughan Gorle D.S.O, A.S.C new article content ... Major Gorle was noted for being awarded the George Cross for bravery in the Union of South Africa during the Siege of Kimberley. He was the Senior officer in charge at that that time. He was survived by his wife and daughter, Joan Mary Partridge Gorle, at his death. His son from his first marriage was Temporary Lieutenant Robert Vauhan Gorle, V.C.

Harry Vaughan Gorle was born in Poughill, Cornwall, in September 1868. As the third son of Captain John Gorle of the 28th Regiment, military history in the family waa to become a strong point in his life. Harry was privately educated.Commissioned as Lieutenant in September 1893, via the Militia, he joined the Army Service Corps in the following month on active duty.

In April 1898, Gorle was advanced to the rank of captain and participated in active duty in South Africa. As he was appointed D.A.A.G. for the defence of Kimberley, for the few months of October 1899 to February 1900, where he had charge of arrangements for all supplies and transport for the 5000-strong garrison. London Gazette 6 May 1900 mentioned him in despatches. On the valentine's Day in 1900, Major Gorle decided that it was vital that personal food supplies were to be commandeered for general sale to the populace of Kimberley instead of just the individuals whom had brought food for themselves. It was actions like this that under his command allowed the British to eventually defeat the Boers

May until November 1900, he was subsequently deployed in the Orange River Colony, then returned again from March to May 1902, where he served in the interim in Cape Colony being mentioned again in the London Gazette on 10 September 1901. The D.S.O. with insignia was presented to him by the Officer Commanding Troops in Kroonstadt, in the early September spring of 1902.

Capt. H. V. Gorle was placed on the Retired List in June 1908 but not before being advanced to Major in February 1905. Harry was recalled in the Great War and joined active service in Macedonia theatre from August 1916 until June 1918, during which time he was given yet another honourable “mention” in the London Gazette of 11 June 1918.

His son by his first marriage, Lieutenant Robert Vaughan Gorle, Royal Field Artillery, was awarded the V.C for great courage at Ledeghem in October 1918, when he fired his gun over open sights under direct machine-gun fire from a range of just 500 or 600 yards ‘his disregard of personal safety and dash were a magnificent example to the wavering line’ (London Gazette 14 December 1918 refers). It is interesting to note that bravery was a hallmark of this family line for at least three generations, beginning with Harry's father. Many Articles have been written about the distinguished grandson of Capt. John Gorle yetmany leave out the fact that he didn't just once attack the failing German line, but twice, which garnered support from his fellow men and allowed the Allies to take the village on the northern side.

It is a terrible thing for a child to precede their parents to the grave, but Major Gorle was to survive his son by many years as Robert died from yellow fever and was buried at Stellawood cemetery in Durban, 1937. Major Gorle was handed his son's bravely won Victoria Cross, which had been pinned to his chest by King George VI, in person at Buckingham Palace. That award was later stolen from Joan Howson (nee Gorle) and somehow ended up in the collection of Lord Ashcroft. Investigation of this issue is still underway and Lord Ashcroft has proven he is innocent and above reproach. The name of the thief is known and InterPOL are investigating the person alleged to have misappropriated the VC. Mr Naxton has been instrumental in helping identify the origin of the medal.