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Author Topic: Wilfrid Morris MM- St Helens/Castleford?  (Read 53 times)
Mark Abbott
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Wilfrid Morris MM- St Helens/Castleford?
« on: Thursday 01 October 09 08:33 UTC (UK) »

I have been searching the London Gazette and stumbled upon a Trustee Act notice for a Wilfrid Morris of "Landsdowne", Beancroft Street, Castleford, GLASS WORKS MANAGER who died 10th February 1952.  If anyone is looking at local newspapers, could they check for an obituary/death notice?  I have researched his service in WW1 and would be grateful for any further help.

Wilfred Morris was born in St Helens in 1896, the son of John and Eliza. On the 1901 Census, he is shown as living with his parents and siblings at 90 Greenfield Road, St Helens. His fathers occupation being shown as a stone mason.

From his Medal Index Card, I know that he originally went out to France with his unit on the 3 January 1915, with the rank of Sergeant.


The unit War Diary of 4.1.1916 records the award of a Mention in Despatches (MID).

The MID was gazetted on the 1.1.1916. A photograph of him appears in the St Helens newspaper, but unfortunately the microfilm is so scratched that it has proved impossible to take a decent copy.

The 419 Field Coompany War Diary for the 31st July 1917 records;

"6.35pm ordered Sgt Morris with 10 men to assist in consolidation at SPREE FARM"

In his report to O.C. 419 Fd Coy, 2 Lieut J W Talbot states:
"Following is a summary of the work done by No.3 Section of the Company during the action of 31st July 1917, together with details of the various working parties.My duties consisted of 3 distinct jobs as follows:-

(1) Searching of WIELTJE-GRAVENSTAFEL ROAD up to the third objective for enemy mines and booby traps.
(2) Searching of German Trenches as far as they extended over the front covered by 166th Infantry Brigade.
(3) Examination of ground from WIELTJE to 3rd objective for supply and ammunition dumps and water supplies.

My Section consisted on the morning of the battle of 2 Officers (Mr White, King's Liverpool Regt. and myself and 18 Other Ranks, all RE.
This party I split into 3 parts of various strengths to concentarate on above work as follows:-
(1) Myself and 7 men on WIELTJE-GRAVENSTAFEL RD.
(2) Mr White and 8 men on Dumps and war supply.
(3)Sergt. Morris and 3 men on traps in German Trenches... He goes on to say:-

" At 10.48 am the parties had commenced on new work detailed to them, including that of Sergt Morris who, I arranged, should send his report to you. I would mention here that this NCO did splendid work in investigating the whole of the German trench system, and was rendered valuable assistance by Sapper Davies; these names with details of their work I have already submitted for your consideration."
Sadly, neither Sgt Morris's report or the recommendations appear to have survived. I do know that his MM was Gazetted on the 18-10-1917.

He was also awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal under AO 68 Feb 1921. His uniformed service continued and he received a Special Constabulary LS medal . Interestingly, this has the post nominal letters "M.M." after his name.



Mark[
_________________
Researching the St Helens Royal Engineers; 419, 422 & 423 Field Companies and 55th Divisional Signal Company RE
Any census information, War Diary or Medal Index Card information within this post is Crown Copyright from http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Logged
55th West Lancashire Division in World War 1:

419, 422 &423 Field Coy RE & 55th Divisional Signal Company RE
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