Laurence Henry Morrison was the elder brother of Benjamin George Morrison and cousin of Laurence "Bobby" Anderson, John's grandfather. They co-wrote the book "A Tanker in Practice...". He, his brother and his sister Ann Grace were the children of William Morrison and Helen Manson, living in the Laxfirth, Nesting area of Shetland Mainland, although the two youngest children were born in Lerwick.
They came from humble beginnings, being first crofters and then running a grocer's shop. Tragedy struck when both parents died when the children where young (Benjamin was six, Laurence 10 when their mother died), and they were raised by their grandparents.
Laurence worked for a few years on his grandparents' croft before leaving for a career at sea. His rise was rapid, perhaps helped that the world was at war. He was awarded his second mate certificate in 1910, aged 24; four years later he was awarded his extra master's certificate which was "intended for such persons as are desirous of obtaining command of ships and steamers of the first class" and was the highest award for mariners. He served in the merchant service during the First World War (see note above) and received a number of medals.
At the beginning of the Second World War, now aged 53, we find Laurence living in Gravesend, Kent working for the Port of London Authority.
He died in Lerwick in 1952, having returned home, where he may have been assistant harbour master before his death. He never married.
