William MORRIS
| Unit |
'A' Coy, 2nd Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Division, B.E.F. |
| Service Number | 9555 |
| Rank | Private |
| Nature of Death | Killed in action Gheluvelt, Flanders 31/10/14 |
| Age | 26 |
| Burial/Commemoration | Ypres (Menin Gate), Memorial, Belgium |
| Malvern Commemoration | Holy Trinity, North Malvern |
| Next of Kin | Son of John Morris of 4 Fairlea Terrace, Newtown Road, Malvern |
| Education | Cowleigh Mixed School |
| Previous Employment | At Messrs Jones & Davies of Church Street, Great Malvern |
| For a glossary of terms click here |
William Morris, an Army Reservist, was killed during the Worcestershire Regiment's must famous action of the First World War. During the First Battle of Ypres the German army were about to break through the line at Gheluvelt - if they succeeded they could encircle the small British army, capture Ypres and possibly put Britain out of the war. The 2nd Worcestershire, who were the only reserve left were called upon to 'plug the gap' and rushed the advancing German with the bayonet. They were successful in halting the advance, and suffered remarkably few casualties bearing in mind the determination of the enemy.
Not long before his death, Morris had sent a postcard to his former employers, Messrs Jones & Davis:
"Just a line to you and all the staff that I am in the best of health. I came through my first engagement without stopping a bullet. Wishing you and all the staff every success. Any cigarettes you can send will be gratefully received."
They promptly sent a carton and received a postcard of thanks. The news of his death did not reach his parents at Fairlea Terrace until Christmas Eve 1914. The Union Flag at his old school, Cowleigh, was hoisted to half mast in his memory - this was a tradition that was to be repeated whenever an old boy was killed in the war.
His brother, also a soldier in a regular unit, the South Wales Borderers was wounded during the siege of the German colony Tsiang-Tau. In January 1915 he returned to Malvern and related some of his experiences in South Africa and China and the capture of the colony to the school children at Cowleigh.
If you know anything more about this man click here.
Malvern News 7/11/14,
2/1/15, 23/1/15
Cowleigh Mixed School Log Book Worcester
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