Morrison, John Henry George M/14043 (1894 - 1918)

Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class, Royal Navy, HMS "Racoon"

Buried at Chatham Naval Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

John Henry George Morrison (better known as Jackie) was the elder son of Mr. George Morrison, Chili, and of Mrs. Morrison, 571 Sauchiehall Street. At School he was greatly beloved by his comrades and teachers, who recognised the kindly, generous nature that lay beneath his reserved manner. From the first he displayed that rare combination of gifts, a reflective mind and a strongly practical bent, a combination from which inventors and discoverers are made.

On leaving School he entered the employment of A. & J. Inglis, shipbuilders, as an apprentice engineer. At the same time he enrolled as a student in the Royal Technical College. For several years he was an active member of the Students' Section of the Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders, serving on the Council for a period of twelve months, and subsequently acting as its honorary secretary. Early in 1913, at a meeting of the Students' Section, he read a paper on "Corrosion of Condenser Tubes." This contribution was selected by the Institute for publication, and appears in volume 56 of its proceedings.

During session 1914-15 he taught the third year class in Engineering Drawing in Shawlands Academy Continuation School, and by the testimony of the headmaster "he threw himself into his work with enthusiasm, and his efforts were much appreciated by the students." This record bespeaks a strenuous life, yet amid it all he found time to pursue in the summer months his favourite pastime of sailing. He and his brother were experts in patching up old boats and sailing them all over the Firth at a minimum of cost.

In April, 1915, he joined the transport "Marmion" as engineer, transferring in June to the R.N.V.R. as engineer artificer. For two and a half years he served in the East on board the destroyer "Mosquito."

Returning home in the winter of 1917, he was posted to the "Racoon," a sister ship to the "Mosquito."

On the night of 9th December, 1917, during a blinding snowstorm, she foundered off the Irish coast with all on board. He was twenty-four years of age, and in that short time had given evidence both of solid achievement and brilliant promise.