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

[Mark Abbott]

Hi Kirsty,

Yes it does and "Fld Coy", means Field Company.

I well remember locating the bunker and working out how to obtain a photo when the owner of the property approached me. A very disjointed "conversation" took place and happily he allowed me into his garden to take the photo.

The bunker is now his garden shed!

Regards

Mark

[Kirsty]

Garden Shed ! It's completely mental. You'd not imagine it would you...

My great-granddad, Arthur Robert Moore, was in the Royal Engineers (126th Field Company). He died 05/10/1917 at the battle of Passchendaele (or because of the battle, we think he may have died in a field hospital - not sure as his service records have not survived).

Thanks for all your recent posts and photos I’ve really enjoyed them.

Kirsty

[Mark Abbott]

Kirsty,

I note your Great grand father is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. This is situated at the back of the prison which is shown at the bottom left of the attached photo.

I have visited the grave yard on several occassions.

Have you looked at the War Diary for his unit?



Mark

[Kirsty]

Thanks Mark,

I've never visited my great-granddad's grave but I very much hope to one day. My uncle went to visit the grave earlier this year and took lots of photos to show everyone. I'm really glad a member of my family has made the trip.

Kirsty

[Mark Abbott]

Kirsty,

I have a relative, ALBERT LLEWELYN PARRY who is buried at VLAMERTINGHE MILITARY CEMETERY in Belgium and I well remember the first time my family and I visited his grave; it was a very moving and emotional experience. We now visit the grave everytime we are in Belgium. I would urge you to try and visit if you can.

Your cemetery is a few minutes walk from the hotel we always stay in.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRevi ... nders.html


http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_det ... lty=138616

Do try and make the trip!

Mark

[Kirsty]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your internet links. I'm definitely going to make the trip one day I'm just not sure when. Seeing all the photos my uncle took from his trip this summer has spurred me on and made me want to go even more.

Best Wishes, Kirsty

[Tina]

Hello Mark
Thank you for bunker photos which I've saved to send onto pals who are into all things WW1.
You've had over 700 views for this post!
Remarkable
Tina

[Mark Abbott]

Tina,

I have noted the number of hits the post has had. I wonder why this one and not the others I have put on?

Another of life's mysteries I guess.

Mark

[Mark Abbott]

At the start of this thread, I gave details relating to how Sgt Morris won his MM at Spree Farm near Ieper (Ypres) on 31 July 1917.

I have now managed to overlay a trench map onto a modern satellite photo, which shows the location of Spree Farm.

Although completely destroyed during the war, the farm was rebuilt and I visited it last summer.

[Mark Abbott]

Sgt Morris is becoming a headache! I can not find a death listed for him. Not being a family historian I am unsure of what to do now.

Help

[MaryA]

Wilfred Morris Birth 1 June 1896 Died Mar 1990 Age 93
District Glyndwr Clwyd Vol 24 Page 462

Is this what you want? Did you want to order the certificate, if so the details I've given above are what you need and can order online at www.gro.gov.uk

[Mark Abbott]

The Drill Hall on Croppers Hill in St Helens.

[Mark Abbott]

It is 92 year ago today that Sgt Morris won his MM on the first day of the battle 3rd Ypres.

[MaryA]

It's quite a sad week for memories, with the death of Harry Patch and funeral of Henry Allingham.

[Mark Abbott]

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.

I am making some assumptions here: On the 1901 Census his name is spelt "WILFRID" as it is on his Special Constabulary medal. Although it is spelt"WILFRED" on his Medal index Card. He works at a glass works, and I know that he was originaly from St Helens.

I am not sure if this is "my" man; how do I check if it is?

Thanks

Mark

[MaryA]

Forgive my geographical ignorance, but where is Castleford.

The registration of Wilfred's death on 10th February 1952 should have been in the first quarter of 1952. This is the only entry for a Wilfred Morris in that quarter.

Pontefract 2c 670 age 57. This would appear to match up for age to the Wilfred you are looking for.

The only certain way of knowing if it is your man is with the death certificate and if the person who registered the death knew for sure where he was born.

Don't rush into ordering the certificate, see if somebody can think of any other ideas first.

[Mark Abbott]

Hello Mary,

Castlford is in Yorkshire and I assume the death is registerd at Pontefract. You will note how he is recorded as "WilfrEd" not "WilfrId"! Why didn't his parents give him a middle name (or 2)!!

The chap I found today certainly fits in the right age group. Did Pilkington's have a glassworks in the Castleford area I wonder? If he was a manager, I assume he died before retiring and his death may have been reported in "The Cullet". I will have to visit the library again to check their copies of the magazine.

Mark

[Hilary]

Lots of glassworks I found this

http://www.twixtaireandcalder.org.uk/He ... efault.htm

Ed Officer

[Mark Abbott]

EO,

What a great site; some superb photos; thank you.

Mark

[Mark Abbott]

I have just received a copy of an obituary from the Castlefield newspaper; this was kindly supplied by the local librarian.

Unfortunately, I don't think it's my man as it makes no reference to his WW1 service.

The hunt continues!!