THE JONATHAN MURRAY COLLECTION / DIRKS
Ref 17. The Gordon Highlanders
Officer’s dirk to the Gordon Highlanders, belonging to Lieutenant (subsequently Colonel) Kenneth Gibbon O’Morchoe (b. 16 February 1894, d. 22 December 1962). Scottish silver mounted dirk. Single edge fullered blade with a notched back. On one side of blade makers name and logo on a circle to to John Blyde Ltd, Sheffield. with Genius written in the circle. Thistle embossed collar and a studded carved basket weave handle with a stone set pommel. Matching knife and fork ensuite. Leather scabbard with thistle embossed and engraved silver mounts and a Gordon Highlanders badge on the top mount. On reverse of top mount, engraved K.G.O.M. (for Kenneth Gibbon O’Morchoe). Mounts showing silver markings to Glasgow 1924.
Dirk: 46cm.
Period: 1924
Category: Dirks
REGIMENTAL HERITAGE
Brief History
The Gordon Highlanders was a line infantry regiment of the British Army.
The Gordon Highlanders was formed in 1881 by amalgmation of the 75th (Stirlingshire) Regiment of Foot and 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot (known as The Gordon Highlanders). The two regiments became respectively the 1st and 2nd Battalion of The Gordon Highlanders.
In 1994 it was amalgamated with the Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) to form the Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons).
In 2004, the Gordon Highlanders became the 4th (Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)) Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
- 1794 – The 100th Regiment
- 1798 – The 92nd Regiment of Foot (known as The Gordon Highlanders)
- 1881 – The Gordon Highlanders, upon amalgamation witt the 75th, Stirlingshire Regiment. The 92nd became the 2nd Battalion and the 75th the 1st Battalion of the newly formed Gordon Highlanders.
- 1994 – The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons), upon amalgamation with the Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)
- 2004 – 4th (Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)) Battalion
Affectation
Colonel Kenneth Gibbon O’Morchoe was the son of Reverend Thomas Arthur MacMurrough Murphy O’Morchoe and Anne Gibbon.
Educated at St. Andrew’s College in Dublin, O’Morchoe joined the Gordon Highlanders in 1922. He had an illustrious military career, as part of The Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) 5th Battalion, 2nd Lieutentant 1913, Lieutenant 1915 and Captain 1915; the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 2nd Lieutenant 1915 and Lieutenant 1916.
He fought in WWI in France and Belgium 1915 – 1916 and he was wounded twice. He was awarded campaign medals, to include 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
He was also employed with the West African Frontier Force (The West African Frontier Force (WAFF) was a multi-battalion field force, formed by the British Colonial Office in 1900 to garrison the West African colonies of Nigeria, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone and Gambia) from 1917 to 1929.
He joined the Gordon Highlanders in 1922 as a Lieutenant, made a Captain in 1923, Major 1934 – 1938, Adjutant 1929 – 1932, Brevet Major 1937, Major 1938 and Lieutenant Colonel in 1940.
He served in the King’s African Rifles in 1922-24 and then again in 1934 – 38. He retired from the military in 1947.
He died on 22 December 1962 at age 68, unmarried.
The auction house Mctears has confirmed that the provenence – relating to Kenneth O’Morchoe – was provided by the Gordon Highlanders Museum.