More about James Rourke

James is believed to be the brother of Pte Matthew Rourke, 114892, 192nd Company, Labour Corps.

James Rourke   Royal Fusiliers

DUNDEE SOLDIER ON STRANDED LINER.

Pte. James Rourke, Royal Fusiliers, 69 Brook Street, Dundee, is at present at home enjoying a short leave after an exciting time.  Pte. Rourke was on board the White Star liner Vedic when she went ashore on the island of North Ronaldshay, Orkney.  He has been a soldier since 1889, and wears the King’s and Queen’s Medal for the Boer War, while in the recent war he was captured in the retreat from Mons and was for four-and-a-half years a prisoner of war.  When he returned home he re-enlisted in the Russian Relief Force.  Pte. Rourke said his experiences on board the stranded vessel were worse than anything he had gone through on the battlefields.  The vessel struck at eleven o’clock, and it was not till 7.30 next morning that she refloated.  A strong gale was blowing, and heavy seas broke over the liner. They had on board 200 British soldiers, 500 Russian soldiers, and 500 women and children belonging to Russia, and many of the British soldiers had to stand on guard all night through the raging tempest, as it was feared that the Russians might seize the life-boats.  He was greatly impressed by the conduct of the captain, and said that the manner in which he maintained discipline on board his ship through these trying hours.

Dundee Courier 8th October 1919