Morris-D-L-Pte-7245


Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

 

Morris D L         Pte    7245    Donald Leslie               5 Inf Bn    18    Boilermaker    Single    Pres        

Address:    Moonee Ponds, Lethbridge St, 15  

Next of Kin:    Morris, E, Mrs, mother, 15 Lethbridge St, Moonee Ponds    

Enlisted:    21 Mar 1916      

Embarked:     A70 Ballarat 19 Feb 1917 torpedoed  

 

Date of death:  24/09/1918

CWGC:  "Son of William and Ellen Morris, of 15, Lethbridge St., Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia.

LA CHAPELETTE BRITISH AND INDIAN CEMETERY, PERONNE

 

Died of Wounds, still serving with the 5th Inf Bn as a private.

 

 

The transport HMAT Ballarat after being torpedoed by a German submarine off the

southern English coast on 25 Apr 1917. In the background a British destroyer is

standing by to take the troops.  http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/C01592 AWM Collection.

 

 

Pte. D. L. Morris. 5th Battalion, aged 21 years, who died of wounds on 24th September, was the only son of Mrs. Ellen Morris, of 15 Lethbridge street, Moonee Ponds. Mrs. Morris, who is a widow, has been a resident of Essendon for upwards of 30 years. Her husband, Mr. J. G. Morris, was killed in the American Civil War*, while her brother died of wounds received in Afghanistan.

 

THE FLYING CORPS. (1918, October 24). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2 Edition: Morning. Retrieved August 29, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74607468

*As the Civil War occurred in 1861 to 1865, It doesn't seem highly likely that her husband, presumably Donald's father, died in it.  Possibly the war involved was the South African War 1899-1902, or the the person who died was Mrs Morris' father.

 

In our issue last week it was erroneously stated that Private D. L. Morris, of Lethbridge street, who was killed, was the only son of Mrs. Morris, whereas it should have been the youngest son. The father of Mrs. Morris was killed in the American Civil War.

 

ROLL OF HONOR. (1918, October 31). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2 Edition: Morning. Retrieved August 29, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74607519

 

Yup, thought so!

 

CORRESPONDENCE  

THANKS.

Sir - I would like, through your paper to thank the Essendon Citizens' Sailors and Soldiers' Welfare League for the splendid [way] they came to my aid a few Saturdays [ago]. The gentlemen worked with such a will and put my garden (back and front) in thorough order and I am truly grate ful for it. I wish to thank the Secreatary (Mr Manderson) also for his [kind] help and advice in fixing up my son's military affairs. We heartily wish the League every success - Yours. etc.. ELLEN MORRIS. 15 Lethbridge St Moonee Ponds.

 

CORRESPONDENCE. (1918, November 14). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3 Edition: Morning. Retrieved September 3, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74607642

 

 

Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau Correspondence, AWM

 

After the hop-over from Hesbecourt on about 18/9/18 we were relieved by the "Yanks" on the night of 23rd.  When back as far as Roisel a fritz HE land amongst my platoon (No 13) killing nine and wounding 18.  I was not with the platoon being attached to No 15.  I saw Morris shortly after he was hit.  He was in a semi-conscious condition and was able to take a drink of water.  He was removed to CCS in the vicinity of Roisel, where he died that night.  I knew Morris well we came over together on the "Ballarat" in 1917.  He was a fine lad, quite young about 22 and he came from Melbourne. 

 

Informant No 7244 Sgt  Dew 5th Battalion

 

 

Medium height, fairly heavily built, fair headed, clean shaven, about 20 to 21 years of age. 

 

Near Tincourt we had been relieved by the Yanks on September 23rd and we were coming out of the line.  He was along-side of me, when a shell landed right amongst us, hitting .... of us, Morris and I being among the number. Stretcher bearer McEwan of 5th Battalion bound up Morris' wounds.  Being badly wounded myself, I know not ore particulars.  

 

Informant Pte Mawson, C R 7193 D Coy 5th Battn

 

PS, Morris was a Lewis Gunner and very popuar in the Battalion. 

 

I saw Morris after being hit at Roisel, Sep 24/18.  I am sure he was hit in one leg.  Do not know of any more wounds, if any.  He was taken to the Dressing Station at the rear and I did not see him again.  We heard later he had lost a leg and after that he had died.  Height about 5' 7", fair complexion, rather sturdy build, a decent steady sort of chap.

 

Informant, Sgt Maynard, J C 4841, 5th Bn

29 Bedford St, Collingwood

 

 

War Service Commemorated

Essendon Town Hall L-R

Essendon State School

Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour With the Colours Pte AMC

Roll of Honour, AWM

 

In Memoriam

 

DEATHS.

ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

MORRIS.-Died of wounds on 24th Septem-

ber, Pte. Donald Leslie Morris. 5th Bat-

allion, aged 21 years, only son of Mrs.

Ellen Morris, 15 Lethbridge st., Moonee

Ponds, after nearly 3 years' active ser-

vice. Deeply missed by Will, Eveline and

Nell, and widowed mother.

Family Notices (1918, October 24). Flemington Spectator (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92032550

 

 

DIED OF WOUNDS.

MORRIS.-Private D. L. Morris, only son of Mrs,
Ellen Morris, of Lethbridge street, Moonee Ponds,
died of wounds on September 24. He was 21 years
of age.   
25 October 1918

 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1404236 

 

MORRIS.- Died of wounds, September 24, 1918, No.

7245, Donald Leslie Morris, D Coy., 5th Battalion

(on board Ballarat when torpedoed).

-(Dear friend of Greta Rosier, Napier street,

North Essendon.)

Family Notices (1918, October 26). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 13. 

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1446771

 

MORRIS.-Died of wounds, in France, 24th Sep-

tember, 1918, No. 7245, Donald Leslie Morris, D

Co., 5th Battalion, A.I.F., dear friend Greta

Rosier, Napier street, N. Essendon.

Family Notices (1919, September 24). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 1.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4683781

 

MORRIS — In sad proud memory of my dear son,

D. L. Morris, L. Machine Gunner, died 24th Sep

tember, 1918. fatal Ballarat, loving brother of Will

(New Zealand), Edeline. Nellie.

So dearly loved and sadly missed

— Inserted by his sad and lonely mother, E Morris.

Family Notices (1923, September 24). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 1.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203630096