Gunner James Henry Morris (2643)

James Henry Morris was born on 12th May 1890, the son of James Morris, a labourer and his wife Sarah Morris.  He was the second of seven surviving children. 

Early years

James attended Cowleigh Mixed School from July 1897 until May 1903.  During this time, tragedy struck the family, when his father died in November 1899 at the age of 45.  The 1901 Census found the family with the newly widowed Sarah, running the common lodging house next to the Cross Keys pub on Belmont Road.

Ten years later, James was to be found living with his mother and younger siblings at Walton Cottages, Cowleigh Road.  At this time he was enumerated as a general labourer.

Australia

In November 1912, James landed at Sydney, Australia.  He worked as a labourer and on enlistment gave his address as 76 Yeo Street, Neutral Bay – a suburb in North Sydney.

First World War

At the age of 25, James Morris enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Liverpool, New South Wales (on 12th June 1915).  After initial training he was sent overseas with the Eighth Reinforcements, destined for the 13th Infantry Battalion, whose members were mainly drawn from his new home state of New South Wales.  He sailed from Sydney aboard HMT Runic on 9th August 1915.

Pte Morris landed at Mudros in October and joined the 13th Battalion on 23rd, and moved forward to Gallipoli.  The 13th Battalion had  landed at ANZAC Cove on 25th April 1915 and served here until the evacuation in December.

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Anzac Cove looking towards Arıburnu, 1915

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt. James returned aboard the HMT Tunisian. 

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HMT Tunisian, built for Allan Line. In early 1916 assisted with the relocation of the Australian Imperial Force from Alexandria to Marseilles.

While in Egypt the AIF was expanded and was reorganised.  The 4th Australian Division was formed at at Tel el Kebir ^[3], under the command of Major General Vaughan Cox ^[4], in February 1916. The 13th Battalion was split and provided experienced soldiers for the 45th Battalion.  Other men, including James, were re-roled in March to provide divisional artillery, as I ANZAC Corps ^[5], which was to proceed to France first, received priority for personnel and artillery pieces.

Therefore at Tel-el-Kebir, on 16th March 1916, James was re-mustered as a gunner and taken on the strength of the 37th Battery, 10th Australian Field Artillery Brigade.

France

After three months training as a new unit, the batteries of the 10th Field Artillery Brigade, proceeded to France to join the British Expeditionary Force.  They set sail at Alexandria on 5th June and landed at Marseilles eight days later.  Later that month, units of the division took over part of the “nursery” sector near Armentières ^[6], where they could be introduced to trench warfare in a relatively quiet area.

However, this quiet time did not last, as the Division were called down to the Somme and took part in fighting around Pozieres, and later Mouquet Farm.

Battle of Messines

In June 1917, the 4th Australian Division were tasked with supporting the largescale attack around Messines in Flanders, to secure the Wytschaete ^[7] – Messines Ridge ^[8]. This area of higher ground, south of the Ypres salient. afforded the Germans with observation of the Allied positions.

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An Australian transport wagon, galloping along the road near Red Lodge, behind Hill 63, in Belgium, whilst the Germans were shelling the batteries of the Australian and New Zealand Artillery concentrated there for the battle of Messines, which opened on 7 June 1917. Note that enemy shelling has set fire the camouflage over the guns. The gunners may be observed endeavouring to put out the fire although the position was still being shelled. (AWM E00650)

James’ Battery, along with the others of the Brigade came into action on 21st May in support of the New Zealand Division.  On 3rd June 1917 he was wounded in the right breast by a shell splinter; this wound would prove fatal.

A letter from his Chaplain to his mother, Sarah Morris, stated that he died three quarters of an hour after his removal to a dressing station.  Up till the end he was conscious and his thoughts were of home.  The next morning he was laid to rest in the nearby cemetery.  The chaplain continued:

“I should like to send you the deepest sympathy of of all ranks of his unit.  Personally, I shall miss your son very much, for we were good friends and, if I am not mistaken, he had been with us from the start.  It must be some consolation to you to know that he was regarded as a most dutiful and faithful soldier, and also that he died at the post of duty.  I often used to think that his duties were an example to others.  May you be strengthened to bear this heavy blow, and be comforted by the tender mercies of our God.”

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James Morris’ grave at Kandahar Military Cemetery, Neuve Eglise

Today, Gnr Morris lies at Kandahar Farm Cemetery, near the village of Wulverghem.