1025: John Morrison

Iain Eachainn Choinnich

John (1870-1927) was a son of Hector Morrison and Alexanderina Smith, 2 Gravir. His father purchased 1 Gravir and the crofts were merged to form 1/2 Gravir.

He emigrated to New Zealand and lived at Invercargill and Dunedin. He was a member of the North Otago Highland Pipe Band.

On 15 January 1915 he enlisted in the the 8th Company Otago Infantry Regiment of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. John's Regiment Service Number was 8/1806. John spent three months training in New Zealand and then joined his Regiment to serve at the Dardanelles, Gallipoli and Western Europe in the First World War. He was wounded and sent to Hospital in Cairo. John returned to active service and was sent home to New Zealand in 9 June1916 on the SS Ruahine as unfit for active service. He was discharged but re-enlisted in 9 October 1916 and returned to Western Europe. He was discharged in 1918 as infirm with Tuberculosis contracted on his War Service and died in 1927. John is mentioned in Loyal Lewis: Roll of Honour 1914-1918.

John died aged aged 57 and his pall-bearers were from the Highland Pipe  Band and Returned Soldiers Association. He is buried in Oamaru Cemetery, Otagu.