After more than two years of research and writing, author Bill O’Gorman has completed a book detailing the lives of Second World War and Korean War veterans from the Port au Port Peninsula.
A lifelong peninsula resident, Mr. O’Gorman took an interest in the subject matter while conducting research for his 2006 book, “The Never Forgotten Days,” which looked at the 1930s resettlement of 27 Fortune Bay families to the west coast community of Lourdes.
“Because of that book, I discovered my great uncle from Harbour Breton was in World War One,” said Mr. O’Gorman. “Here was my family not knowing our own heritage – and that was our own loss.”
The author learned Julian Gorman was 17 years old when he enlisted with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in late 1914. The teenager was shipped overseas and died of measles on March 30, 1915.
“I thought to myself, ‘How many more people are like me, not knowing their family heritage and that they have veterans in their families?’” said Mr. O’Gorman.
He took it upon himself to compile the biographies of First World War veterans from the Port au Port Peninsula.
“Lest We Forget: The Life and Times of Veterans from the Port au Port Peninsula – WWI,” looked at the lives of 113 veterans and was published in 2009.
But then Mr. O’Gorman and those helping him in his search discovered seven additional First World War veterans. The author decided to add those biographies to another book he was writing about the lives of those from the peninsula who served in the Second World War and Korean War conflicts.
“It’s only a small tribute, but it’s important that our veterans will never be forgotten.” - Bill O’Gorman
“Lest We Forget: The Life and Times of Veterans from the Port au Port Peninsula – WWII and the Korean War” was officially released on Sunday.
It highlights the lives of 128 veterans of the Second World War and 14 from the Korean War, in addition to the seven missed from the first book.
Mr. O’Gorman said it was a great relief to have this third book completed.
“I worked on it all day long, up at 3 or 4 in the morning and not able to sleep because I had this on my mind,” he said, “but I feel so proud and happy because I’m doing a service in helping to remember and preserve the memory of our veterans.”
And while Mr. O’Gorman said he’s done with writing books, he’s hoping others will consider delving into the lives of local veterans.
“I’m putting out the challenge to people all over Newfoundland and Labrador to do the same for their veterans in their communities,” he said.
Melvin and Karen White of St. George’s are already working on the biographies of veterans from the Bay St. George South area – and there’s a resident of Burin working on a similar project for her community.
“It’s only a small tribute, but it’s important that our veterans will never be forgotten,” said Mr. O’Gorman. “Because of what they did, we’re living the life of luxury.”
