Name
William Edward (Ted) Morris
1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/11/1918
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
55047
Lancashire Fusiliers
15th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LANDRECIES BRITISH CEMETERY
A. 7.
France
Headstone Inscription
"IN THE MIDST OF LIFE WE ARE IN DEATH"
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the South Mimms memorials, Men of Grantham WW 1 Memorial, St Wolframs Church, Grantham
Pre War
William Edward (Ted) Morris was born in the early part of 1895, in Spalding, Lincolnshire, son of George Thomas Morris, a Boiler Stocker and Jane Morris (nee Waite). The eldest of their eight children although one died in infancy.
1901 Census records William aged 6, living with his parents, and sister Beatrice (1) at 2 Melbourne Road, East Ham, London & Essex.
1911 Census, William (16) is employed as an Apprentice Turner, living with his parents, four sister and two brothers, Lancelot (10) and George (8), at 7 William Street, Grantham, Lincs.
William married Florence Ann Worrell in 1918, the marriage was registered in Grantham, Lincs.
Wartime Service
William enlisted in Grantham, Lincs, posted to the Lincolnshire Regiment with the service number 50432,later transferred to the 15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers with the service number 55047.
William was Killed in Action on 2nd November 1918. Aged 23, just nine days before the end of the war. He is buried in Landrecies British Cemetery, Nr. Valenciennes, France. Grave Ref: A. 7.
On the 2nd November 1918, the 15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were in the line at Happegarbes, France, near the Belgium Boarder. They were holding the line prior to a planned attack. At the start of the Battle on the 2nd November 1918, they were supported by 3 Tanks, the Battalion sustained heavy casualties, William being one of them. A Sergeant James Clark of the 15th Battalion, was awarded a Victoria Cross (VC) for his actions that day.
Additional Information
His widow Florence received a grant of £5, on 8th February 1919, a widow’s pension of 13/6 a week from 9th June 1919, and his effects of £4-01s-03d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £5. A payment of 11/8 went to RP Preston.
Florence's address on her pension card was 114 Victoria Street, Grantham, Lincs.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
