2973 Lance Serjeant Hugh Leith Lorimer
7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
13th November 1916
Born at 4am on 28/09/1890 in Barrhill, Peterculter, Aberdeen, Scotland.
His parents were Hugh Leith Lorimer (31/10/1864-23/09/1951) and Margaret Inglis Barnett (10/01/1860-03/07/1934). They were married on 18/12/1885.
Hugh had 2 brothers, John (01/10/1887-22/03/1955) and James Barnett (14/09/1888-17/05/1910). He also had a sister,
Georgina Kemp, Cameron (23/06/1885-23/07/1970).
In the 1891(Scottish) census, the family were recorded as living at Barrhill Peterculter, Aberdeenshire. Hugh snr. was employed as a paper making machine man.
The 1901(Scottish) census, shows that the family had moved home and were now living at Clovencraigs, Peterculter, Aberdeenshire.
Hugh snr. was still employed in the same job,
1910, saw Hugh lose one of his brothers, James on 14th September to pneumonia after becoming ill 10 days earlier.
The 1911 (Scottish) census records that the family were probably still living in the same house, though now it is recorded as 7 ClovenCraigs, Peterculter. Hugh was now also employed as an apprentice mechanic, whilst his father continued in the same job.
On 27/02/1915, Hugh married Robina Allan Horne (29/09/1992-1978). On their wedding certificate, he was recorded as being employed as an engine fitter, but also as a Corporal in the 7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, having already enlisted in Banchory, Kincardineshire.
Hugh was sent to France on 02/05/1915 and just over 2 months later his daughter Catherine Allen was born on 13th July.
It was nearing the end of the next year that Hugh was killed in action on 13/11/1916.
Aberdeen Evening Express – Friday 08 December 1916
Lorimer – Killed in action, 13th November, Lance Sergeant Hugh Leith Lorimer third son of Mr and Mrs Lorimer, Cloven Craigs, Culter and husband of Robina Horne, Donside Paper works, aged 26 years – very deeply mourned.
His widow was awarded a pension of 20/- a week from 18/06/1917 on 12/06/1917.
Hugh was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
His brother John had also enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders (Regimental number 2167, later becoming 290051 after returning after being wounded.), rising to the rank of Serjeant Major.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal – Friday 28 September 1917
Two Culter men have been awarded the Military Medal. The recipients are Company Sergeant Major John Lorimer and
Corporal Peter Low, both of the Gordons. C-S-M. Lorimer, whose parents reside at Cloven craigs, has had 15 years’ service in the Volunteers and Territorials, and received the Long Service Medal some time ago.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal – Tuesday 02 April 1918
District Casualties
Wounded
Culter – Intimation has been received that Company-Sergt. -Major John Lorimer M.M., son of Mr and Mrs H Lorimer,
Clovencraigs, Culter has been wounded. Previous to the outbreak of the war he was employed in the local paper works.
John was discharged from the army on 02/05/1919, with a disability of having a gunshot wound to his left eye. He returned to working in the paper works, dying in 1955.
