426028 Sgt W Morris 419 Fld Coy RE- Update 20 11 2010

[Mark Abbott]

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.

I believe he died in March 1990 in the Registration District of Glyndwr in Clwyd. Can anyone confirm this for me. I am far stronger on military history than family history, so any help would be welcome!

Mark[

[CaroleW]

Hi

Here's the death reg from Ancestry - but is it definitely the right one - see below

Name: Wilfred Morris
Birth Date: 1 Jun 1896
Death Registration Month/Year: Mar 1990
Age at death (estimated): 93
Registration district: Glyndwr
Inferred County: Clwyd
Volume: 24
Page: 462

No birth in the June or September qtr 1896 for Wilfred Morris in St Helens

This is from Lancashire BMD

Lancashire Birth indexes for the years: 1895
Surname Forename(s) Sub-District Registers At Mother's Maiden Name Reference
MORRIS Wilfred St Helens St Helens SH/214/41

And from freebmd

Births December qtr 1895

Morris Wilfred Prescot 8b 731

[Mark Abbott]

Hi Carole,

I agree, there is doubt as to if they are one and the same. Would his death certificate confirm his place of birth?

Thanks for the help.

Regards

Mark

[CaroleW]

Hi

Yes - it should show his place of birth as well as the date - as long as the person registering his death had those details

[Mark Abbott]

Thanks Carole, I will order a copy.

Best wishes and many thanks,

Mark

[Mark Abbott]

Not him unfortunately. Never mind I'll keep looking.

[Mark Abbott]

419 Field Company were also known as 1/3rd West Lancashire Field Company RE.

[Kirsty]

Hi,

Just a quick tip on contemporary death certificates. The place of birth information is very dependant on the person registering the death and thus can contain mistakes. My great-uncles death certificate says he was born in Earlestown (because the person registering the death believed this was where he was born) but he was in fact born in Manchester.

Just a quick cautionary note.

Good luck with your hunt, Kirsty

P.S. Mark, do you know what Wilfred Morris' occupation was after the war?

[Mark Abbott]

All I know of his post war life is that he served in the Special Constabulary; I assume in St Helens.

Thanks for your help.

Mark

[daggers]

In an earlier post you said the microfilm of the St Helens paper was scratched. You might be able to get a copy of the photo from the British Library at Colindale. Sorry if this is a case of grandmothers and eggs!
Daggers

[Mark Abbott]

Daggers,

Thank you. I have obtained a copy of the photo fron the BL and I have to say, the result was very pleasing.

Thanks for your input; much appreciated.

Mark

[Mark Abbott]

I thought it would be a good idea to show his medals.

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[Kirsty]

I thought it would be a good idea to show his medals...

Mark, it is a good idea - thank you for showing us. Could you tell us which medal is which?

Regards, Kirsty

[Mark Abbott]

Kirsty,

What a good idea! Sorry for that.

From the left:

Military Medal
1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal
Special Consabulary Long Service Medal

He was also awarded a "Mention in Despatches" which is signified by an oakleaf on the Victory Medal ribbon. Sadly this is not present.

[Mark Abbott]

Sgt Wilfred Morris MM., 419 Field Company RE.

[daggers]

Mark
Very pleased you found the photo at Colindale - I have not used their service and wonder about fees etc. Can you get copies online?
Daggers

[Mark Abbott]

Daggers,

The process is VERY long winded. You let them know what you want, they give you a quote and you order. It sounds simple but takes ages.

I had the photo put on a disc; hence the good reproduction. I seem to remember it cost me £20ish. I consider it money well spent.

Mark

[daggers]

Thanks, Mark - useful to know that, even if it rules out multi-applications!
Daggers

[Mark Abbott]

419 Field Company were involved in the construction of concrete bunkers near the French town of Bethune.

Whilst in France last year, I spotted this bunker in someones garden. Using my dreadful french, I managed to make the jovial frenchman understand that I wanted a photo for my records.

Of note is the 55th Division's badge impressed in the concrete.

[Kirsty]

Wow! What an amazing find. Mark, when you say 'RE', does that mean Royal Engineers? Sorry for asking an obvious question. K