Captain Denis Orrock

Captain Denis Heriot Orrock, 78th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. He was killed in action in Egypt on 4th November 1942, aged 25, during the Second Battle of El Alamein. He was the son of William and Isabella Orrock of Allanshaugh, Fountainhall, Stow, Midlothian and he is commemorated in the El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt. He had been educated at Edinburgh Academy where he was a member of the O.T.C. from where he gained a commission into the Territorial 78th ( Lowland ) Field Regiment in 1937. He studied Law at Edinburgh University and graduated in 1938. He had been in France in 1940 with the 52nd ( Lowland ) Division  but was evacuated after only a week. His Regiment went to Egypt in August 1942 as reinforcements for the 8th Army.  and arrived in time to participate in the Battle. His Regiment used the versatile 25 pounder Field Gun.