David Gorman was born at 79 Lepper Street in Belfast, Ireland on 22 March 1880. He was the son of Thomas Gorman, a crane driver, and Martha Smyth.

Gorman was married in St Barnabas’ Church, Belfast on 7 January 1903 to Jane Craven (b. 23 May 1881); they had no children and when they appeared on the 1911 census they were living with Jane’s family at 40 Annadale Street, Belfast.

He joined Titanic at Belfast for the delivery trip to Southampton where he then disembarked.

David Gorman remained at sea in later years. He was still living in Belfast in September 1937 when his wife Jane passed away. He diedd in Belfast a year later, on 4 September 1938, his resting place unknown.