Harry Gourlay MP

Kirkcaldy 1959-1987

Harry Philip Heggie Gourlay was born on 10th July 1916, son of William Gourlay. Throughout his childhood he lived at 34 Rosemont Avenue, Kirkcaldy, Fife. He was educated at Kirkcaldy High School and then was employed in numerous jobs ranging from a coachbuilder in 1932,to a vehicle examiner in 1947.

In 1946 he was elected to Kirkcaldy Town Council and later appointed Hon. Treasurer for the period of four years, elected bailie, and was also appointed Justice of the Peace in 1951. As vice-convenor of Fife Education Committee, he took an active and vigorous part in all matters relating to education. He was then appointed governor of Dundee College of Education and was a member of East Fife Hospital Board of Management since the year of 1954.

At the 1959 General Election he was elected for Kirkcaldy Burghs and again in1961 he retained Kirkcaldy Burghs constituency with an overwhelming win in a threecorner fight. He was returned with a record majority of 12,507 votes – an increase of 1265 over his majority in 1959.

However, apart from working, Harry Gourlay had other interests, such as playing golf and chess. In 1942, he married Margaret McFarlane Ingram, but unfortunately did not have any children. Gourlay had planned to retire from political life at his next general election. After a political career spanning 40 years, he had already intended on stepping down. Sadly, however, Harry Gourlay suddenly died on 20th April 1987, in the town where he was born and bred, Kirkcaldy.

When he died, Kirkcaldy crematorium was packed with people, mourning the sad loss and wishing to pay their final respects to the 70 year old veteran, who had represented Kirkcaldy in parliament for almost three decades.

Harry Gourlay’s death, after a lifetime of service to the Labour movement, was a tragedy. He was a man who had earned his retirement.

Lauren Baxter
Viewforth High School
Kirkcaldy