No. 5644, Lance Corporal, Thomas Richard MORRIS
Aged 39
formerly Oxford Light Infantry
Died of his wounds on Friday 26th October 1917
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Born in Q1-1877 in Garsington, near Oxford [Headington 3a:664] to Albert & Elizabeth MORRIS (née WAKENELL) of Bell Row, Wheatley. He enlisted in the
Oxfordshire Light Infantry
on 19th September 1893, initially for 6 years. At that time he was single,living in Botley, Berkshire. Height 5' 4" and weighing 105 lbs, number 3652.
He served at home from 22 Jan 1894 to 12 July 1896, then went to India where he was awarded the India Medal 1895 with clasps for Punjab Frontier 1897-98
and Tirah 1897-98. Then he was in England from 2 March 1901. In the 1901 census he was at one of the military hospitals at Hound, Southampton. On 3rd August
1901 he was in South Africa. Here he was awarded the South Africa 1901-02 Medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1910-02. He
returned from South Africa on 15th September 1902 and ended this spell of military service on 21st January 1910 (16 years in total). Husband of Jane MORRIS of High Street, Westcott, Bucks. (Could be Jane SAUNDERS and wed 1903 in Aylesbury 3a:1051). Emigrated possibly 1911-12. Lived with his wife, Jane MORRIS in Arthur Street, Surrey Hills, Victoria. Enlisted in Melbourn 29-4-1916: embarked on “Shropshire” from Melbourn 25-9-16 and arrived Plymouth 11-11-16. To France 18-12-16. Accidentally injured carrying timber on 15-2-17, to UK on HMAT Warilda with hernia. Discharged from hospital 30th April 1917 Returned to France 12 July-17. Rejoined his unit in the field on 31st July 1917. Promoted from L/Cpl to Temp. Corporal 25th Sept 1917 and reverted to Lance Corporal on 8th October 1917 on receiving gun shot wounds in back. From 3rd Field Ambulance he was sent to 57 General Hospital (Etaples). Evacuated to UK on HMHS St Andrew and on 13-10-017 admitted to Ampton Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, then transferred to Severals House Hospital, Newmarket, where he died on 26-10-1917 of his gun shot wounds and pneumonia. His wife applied for free passage back to UK. His effects, sent to his wife were: 1 piece of shrapnel, 2 pencils and a sharpener, whistle, razor, photos, letters, disc & chain, badges, brooch, pipe, scissors, comb, money belt and a prayer book The 23rd Australian Infantry were involved at Passchendaele on 8th October 1917 when Thomas was wounded. |
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