Page 509 - Reading Mercury

for Westminster. His acquaintance with the sea began in 1849, when he received his
first appointment as naval cadet. No training ships existed in those days, and he went
direct from school to join the Navy. Those were the days of sailing ships only. In
nd
1858 he took part in one of the picturesque movements of history, when on May 2 .
Of that year, serving as lieutenant in H.M.S. Juno, he was detailed to conduct the
migration of the descendants of the mutineers of the Bounty (descendants of John
Adams and his companions) from Pitcairn Island to Norfolk Island in the South
Pacific, the population having outgrown the smaller island. During this voyage,
Arthur Quintal, descendant of Matthew Quintal—one of the original mutineers—
wrote to Admiral Moresby:--
“The emigration is conducted by Acting Lieutenant Gregorie of H.M.S. Juno, whose
untiring kindness and strict attention to our wants have recently endeared him to us.
He is most indefatigable in his exertions to promote our welfare.” (This quotation is
from the book “Pitcairn,” by the Rev. Boyles Murray, M.A., published in 1857.)
It is within the memory of many that in 1897 the late Commander Gregorie was
visited by two of the Norfolk Islanders, tall, fine soldiers, who came over to take part
in the military pageant of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. To them he gave the
Bible of John Adams, with its records of the population of Pitcairn Island from its
settlement.
The gallant commander’s service in the Royal Navy covered the period of transition
from sailing ship to steam-propelled vessels. He served in H.M.S.’s Juno,
Indefatigable, Hannibal and Arrogant. In 1872, on account of failing health, he retired
with the rank of commander. He then proceeded to keep his terms at Oxford, where he
graduated B.A. with second class honours in law and history, and later entered as
student in the Inner Temple, passing the qualifying examination for barrister, but the
state of his health caused him to pass the rest of his days, which were many, in the
privacy of country life.
Commander Gregorie married in January, 1860, Miss Harwood, only daughter of
Mr. Harwood, of Deane, near Whitchurch, Southampton, and they celebrated their
th
golden wedding in 1910. Mrs Gregorie predeceased him on September 18 , 1915. In a
quiet way Commander Gregorie filled important positions and did excellent work in
the religious, educational and philanthropic life of Wokingham. A devoted
churchman, he filled many years the office of sidesman at All Saints. For 30years he
was correspondent for the Palmer Schools, where his keen interest secured several
enlargements and greatly conduced to its present efficiency, and he promoted the
formation and training of the school cadet corps and its band, both attaining
remarkable efficiency. His house and grounds were ever open to any popular function
to promote the general happiness, while his annual entertainment of the two local
bands will long survive in grateful memory.
THE FUNERAL
The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon at All Saints’ Church. The coffin of
plain oak was draped with the Union Jack in accordance with the late Commander’s
wish.
(Details follow)

1927

th
Sat 8 Jan
THE NEW FIRE ENGINE

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