Private Albert John Gourlay

Albert John Gourlay was born in South Melbourne, Victoria, on 31 July 1881 to Jessie Bruce (née Bell) and John Ebenezer Gourlay. At 21, he was recruited into the Victorian Football League, playing three matches for Melbourne in the 1903 season and three for Carlton in 1904.

By 1905, Gourlay had migrated to New Zealand and was working as a flax cutter in Ohinewai on the North Island. He later moved to Wellington and worked as a canvasser. Gourlay married Emma Randle Portious (née Collie) in Wellington on 5 April 1909. With Emma, he had a son, Percy, in 1910 and was step-father to Bertha.

Gourlay enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force at the town hall in Wellington on 31 May 1917. He noted that he was from Melbourne but claimed to have been born in 1874. Initially allocated to B Company of the 30th Reinforcements, he was transferred to the 29th Reinforcements on 25 July.

Gourlay embarked from Wellington for overseas service on 15 August 1917. He disembarked in Glasgow, Scotland, seven weeks later and entrained for Sling Camp on the Salisbury Plain. There, Gourlay was taken on the strength of the 4th Reserve Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment for a period of training. He was admitted to hospital in Tidworth, Wiltshire, on 9 November, but re-joined his battalion ten days later.

Gourlay departed Sling Camp on 26 December 1917 and embarked for France and the Western Front. He marched into the New Zealand General Base Depot at Etaples, before joining the 2nd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment in the field on 17 January 1918. He was allocated to the battalion’s 17th Company but, three days later, was detached for duty with the Birr Cross Roads Baths.

Gourlay re-joined his battalion on 24 February 1918. Four months later, he fell ill and was admitted to No. 3 New Zealand Field Ambulance on 21 June. He was transferred to No. 1 New Zealand Field Ambulance on 1 July and then to No. 2 New Zealand Field Ambulance, before re-joining the 2nd Battalion on 6 July.

Gourlay was wounded in action on 1 October 1918 and admitted to No. 2 New Zealand Field Ambulance. He was transferred to No. 49 Casualty Clearing Station and then to No. 26 General Hospital in Etaples, suffering from gunshot wounds to the left thigh, right ankle, both shoulders and head. He was embarked for England on 5 October and admitted to the 2nd New Zealand General Hospital in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.

Gourlay was placed on the seriously ill list on 7 October 1918. His condition was noted to have slightly improved on 12 October but, eleven days later, he was reported to be dangerously ill and, owing to gangrene, his left leg was amputated at the thigh. His condition failed to improve, however, and Private Albert Gourlay died of his wounds on 1 November 1918. Gourlay is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery in Pirbright, Surrey.