Death Of Lord Gort

Northern Advocate, 1 April 1946, Page 5

Death Of Lord Gort

(Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON. March 31. The death has occurred of Lord Gort, in Guy’s Hospital. Lord Gort underwent a serious operation last November. His condition improved slowly after the operation. Death followed a relapse. ‘‘Tiger" Gort was 59 years old and was the youngest man ever to become British Commander-in-Chief. He got bis nick-name because of his personal bravery and dynamic personality.

In the First World War he won the V.C. at Cambrai in 1918.

Gort became a major general in 1935 and when Mr L. Horc-Belisha became War Secretary he made Gort his military secretary.

Later he lified him over the heads of 50 others to the office of Chief ol the Imperial General Staff,

Mounted on a white charger. Gort was a heroic figure as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army on the disastrous field of France. He shone as a systematic organiser rather than a brilliant tactician. When he returned from the shambles of Dunkirk he was given the job ot organising England for the defence ot her soil from the invasion which appeared about to engulf her. DEFENDED MALTA When the danger was past Gort was sent to Gibraltar and then to Malta, succeeding General Dobbie, who has just completed a visit to New Zealand. Gort’s next task was in Palestine as High Commissioner, but ill health caused his return to England towards the end of last year. One writer has described Gort as an “old school tie. but a tough tie and a professional soldier." He was a nonsmoker “and an austere man." He was j always as fit as a fiddle and expected j iiis men to keep the same way. Often ; he would give an aide a strenuous tour j of duty "just to get the llesh off him.’'