Richard Gorham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colonel Sir Richard Masters Gorham
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Captain Gorham in London in Bermuda Rifles uniform for 1953 Coronation
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| Born | 3 October 1917 Pembroke, Bermuda
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| Died | 8 July 2006 (aged 88) |
| Education | Saltus Grammar School Ridley College |
| Spouse(s) |
Barbara Tredick Dimmick McIntire
(m. 1948) |
| Children | Christine Dimmick Gorham Cox Tredick R. T. Gorham Arthur J. Gorham Anthony M. M. Gorham |
| Relatives | Robin Auchincloss Sedgwick (step-daughter) Betty Kitson (sister) Joan Wilkie (sister) |
Sir Richard Masters Gorham was a very important person from Bermuda. He was born on October 3, 1917, and passed away on July 8, 2006. He was a brave pilot during World War II, a smart businessman, and a kind person who gave a lot to help others. He also served in Bermuda's government as a Member of Parliament. He received special awards like the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery in war. Later, he was honored by the Queen and became a Knight, which means he was called "Sir" Richard Gorham.
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Sir Richard Gorham's War Service
Joining the Army
Richard Gorham was born in Pembroke, Bermuda. In 1938, he joined a local army group called the Bermuda Volunteer Engineers. When World War II began, his unit was called into action. He worked in the signaling division at the Royal Naval Dockyard. He showed great quick thinking during an exercise when a radio broke. He quickly found a way to send messages using visual signals, which saved the exercise. Because of this, he was promoted to an officer.
Becoming a Pilot
In 1940, Gorham became a second lieutenant in another Bermuda army group, the Bermuda Militia Artillery. He soon learned about a chance to train as a pilot. Even though he was an army officer, he wanted to fly. At that time, the Royal Air Force (RAF) usually trained all military pilots. However, they needed help finding pilots who could direct artillery fire from the sky. So, it was decided that army officers who were good at directing artillery would be trained to fly small planes.
In 1942, Richard Gorham left Bermuda to go to England. There, he officially joined the Royal Artillery and began his pilot training with the RAF.
Hero at Monte Cassino
Gorham served as a pilot in North Africa and Italy during the war. He flew small planes called Austers. His job was to fly over battlefields and tell the artillery (big guns) on the ground where to shoot. This was called an Air Observation Post (AOP) pilot.
He played a very important role in the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. During this battle, he was in charge of a group of pilots. He spotted a large group of German soldiers moving in armored vehicles to attack the British and Polish forces. Gorham quickly contacted the artillery officers on the ground. He then directed the fire of over two thousand big guns onto the German soldiers. The guns fired for hours, completely stopping the German attack. Because of his brave and skillful actions, the Allied forces were able to break through the German lines a few days later. For this, Richard Gorham received the Distinguished Flying Cross, a very special award for bravery in the air.
After the War
After the war ended, Richard Gorham returned to Bermuda in 1946. He continued to serve in the military for some years, joining the Bermuda Rifles (which used to be the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps). He was even part of the group that went to London for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. He eventually retired from the army with the honorary rank of colonel.
Sir Richard Gorham's Public Service
In his everyday life, Richard Gorham became a very successful businessman. He also became a Member of the Parliament of Bermuda, helping to make important decisions for his country.
He was also a very generous person, a philanthropist. He gave a lot of his money to support many good causes in Bermuda. For example, he helped the Bermuda Maritime Museum, which teaches people about Bermuda's sea history. He also supported the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, which helps young people learn sailing and teamwork on a traditional ship.
For all his hard work and dedication to public service, he received high honors from the Queen. In 1977, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). Then, in 1994, he was made a Knight Bachelor, which meant he was officially known as Sir Richard Gorham.
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