Month: May 2015

We will be opening the church to visitors on Tuesdays, Wednesdays  and Thursdays  between 11.30 am and 2 pm (11 am and 1 pm on Thursdays) from 16 June until 27 August.  To do this, we need to have two people on duty in the church at all times to show people round and answer any questions.  If you are able to help, please add your name to the rota on the notice board in the hall.

George Cruickshank Morrison was born in 1890 in the small Aberdeenshire village of Gamrie or Gardenstown.  He was the youngest of seven children born to mason Robert Morrison and his wife Isabella Wilson.  George grew up in Gamrie and served his apprenticeship with the local Macduff draper James Sim.  In 1908 he moved to London to work for the wholesale drapers Foster Porter & Co Ltd and, by 1911, was lodging in their premises at 47 Wood Street E.C.

In 1914 George enlisted in the 8th battalion of the Gordon Highlanders in Aberdeen.  The battalion moved to Aldershot and then, in February 1915, were sent to Bordon in Hampshire.  On Sunday 9 May, the battalion took the train from Bordon to Folkestone from where they sailed to France, landing at Boulogne on 10 May 1915.  According to the war diaries, the 8th Gordon Highlanders were the first unit of the New Armies to arrive at the front on 11 May 1915.

On 24 May the battalion moved to Armentières for instruction in trench warfare and in the afternoon marched the two miles to the trenches, where they stayed until 5:30pm the following day.  Just before the battalion left the trenches it came under fire from rifle grenades, one of which hit George Morrison and killed him instantly.

George Morrison was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

S/2217 Sergeant George Cruickshank Morrison 1890 – 25 May 1915.

We will remember them.

At the end of public collecting during Christian Aid Week 2015, 17 collectors achieved 53 bucket-hours of collecting and raised a total of £1810.64.

With other donations received so far from members of the congregation and miscellaneous sources, our total for Christian Aid Week currently stands at £2,005.64 – a nice boost to be over the £2000 mark, and we’re confident that there’s more to come, even before the retiring offerings in June.

Thanks to all the new collectors, the ‘old hands’, all who braved the cold, the wet, and stiff backs and legs, and everyone in the congregation who has contributed to Christian Aid in Christian Aid Week this year.

This service is being held at 11:30 am on Saturday 13 June to remember and give thanks for those friends, family and loved ones whom we have loved and lost and who now dwell in light celestial.  They are part of the great Communion of Saints and are at peace (Hebrews 12: 1).

During the service we will remember each by name and give thanks for all that made them special.  If you would like to include any family member, friend or loved one please give details to the Church Secretary.  There will also be an opportunity to view the Book of Remembrance kept at the back of the church, and to arrange for an entry to be made if desired.

After the service there will be light refreshments in the church hall, for which all are welcome to join us.