A WWI image of medic and author, David Rorie (1867-1946), during his time in France. This photograph shows Rorie walking within a trench.
The image is printed on a small photographic print, 9 x 6.5 cm.
This photograph is from a small collection of items held by Aberdeen City Libraries on permanent loan since 12th June 1982 from the David Rorie Society. The society was established in 1982 to preserve the name of Dr. David Rorie and to arrange for an early re-publication of the main body of his poems. The collection was handed over to the City Librarian Peter Grant by Mr. James Michie, President of the Society and Mr. Charles King, Vice-President.
David Rorie was born in Edinburgh in 1867. He graduated M.D., Ch.B from Edinburgh University, and later gained an M.D. from Aberdeen University for a thesis on medical lore.
One of his earliest appointments was as assistant to a general practitioner in Barrow-in-Furness, and during his time there he wrote the words and music of his most famous composition The Lum Hat.
He later practiced in Old Deer and in Fife, where he did excellent work among mining families. In 1904 he entered general practice in Cults, Aberdeen, where he was to remain for the rest of his working life.
During the First World War he served in France with a Field Ambulance attached to the 51st Highland Division. His experiences as an officer are recounted in his autobiographical work A Medico's Luck in the War (1929). He was awarded the D.S.O. and the Legion of Honour.
Dr. Rorie died in 1946. He was a well-loved and respected physician and one of the outstanding personalities of the North-East. He was active both in professional organisations and in literary circles, and some of his poems have been familiar to Scottish people all over the world.
Many published books and articles by David Rorie can be found in the collection of Aberdeen City Libraries.
