OBITUARY NOTICES
215
CHARLES EDWARD GOURLEY
The tragic death on November 2nd, 1949 of Mr. Gourley, whilst under-
going dental treatment, came as a great shock both to his family and to his
many friends.
He was born in 1888 at Southampton and obtained the degree of B.Sc.
(London University) at the age of 19 years. For five years he was Assistant
Master of St. Phillip's Grammar School, Birmingham and, later, served as
Assistant Master (eight years) and Head (29 years) of St. Bonaventure's
Grammar School, Forest Gate, where his heart was and where he left his
mark.
A man of exceptional linguistic qualifications, he could speak French,
German and Polish fluently and had, in addition, a good knowledge of
Portuguese, Italian and Gaelic. He travelled much on the Continent where his
interest in architecture and historical subjects was given full rein. He was
honoured last August, by his reception in special audience by His Holiness—
the present Pontiff.
He became a member of the Essex Field Club in 1934 and, in its multi-
farious activities, found relaxation from his exacting school duties. He had
a wide circle of friends in Education and, at one time, enjoyed the unique
distinction of being the only Catholic lay Headmaster of a Grammar School
in the country.
A requiem mass was said for him at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic
Church, Forest Gate, on November 8th, which was attended by 600 boys
of St. Bonaventure's and many girls from St. Angela's. The interment
followed at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Leytonstone.
B.W.
DAVID JOSEPH SCOURFIELD
With the passing of D. J. Scourfield the Essex Field Club loses one of
its oldest members and staunchest supporters, and biology one of that now
small band of amateur microscopists whose heyday was the late eighteen
hundreds and the earlier years of the twentieth century. To Scourfield, of
course, the microscope was only a means to an end, but he loved his instru-
ment and it was seen often enough at the Club for the display of some organ-
ism or other, as likely as not from an Epping Forest pond.
David Joseph Scourfield, who from his boyhood was keenly interested
in biology, was born at Bow on October 20th, 1866. He entered the Civil
Service and spent most of his working life at the Royal Mint where he became
Registrar ; his services were recognised by the award of the Imperial Service
Order in 1924.
Biology was Scourfield's lifelong passion. He would, I think, have
claimed to be a zoologist with specialised interests in the Entomostraca,
but he was always modest in his claims. He may not have specialised in
botany but he had no small knowledge of this science and I believe the term
is used in its proper sense when I call him a biologist. His interests lay
primarily with the freshwater organisms and their habitat, and freshwater
biology seems to have been his first love from the beginning to the end. He
looked forward to his retirement—happily it was a long one—because it
would give him more time to devote to his hobby and when he retired he
moved to a larger house in order that he might have a more commodious
study for his work. It seems characteristic that he did not retire into the
country but remained in Leytonstone near his beloved Forest and within
comfortable reach of his clubs and societies.
Scourfield was an enthusiastic member of a number of societies, among
them the Linnean, Zoological and Ray Societies, the Freshwater Biological