RSM 16123 Josiah Morgan

• Age: 47
• From: St Harmon, Radnorshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• Died Tuesday 15th December 1914
• Commemorated at: Wandsworth (earlsfield)cemetery
  Panel Ref: Screen Wall F.B.18.1

Josiah Morgan was born in St Harmon, Llanarmon, Radnorshire, the son of Jeremiah Morgan and his wife Hannah (nee Griffiths). His parents married in the September quarter of 1869. 

On the 1881 census Josiah is aged 15, a clerk living at 16 Long Length Cottage, Maesmawr, Rayader with his parents, his grandmother and four siblings. His father, Jeremiah is 39 years of age, a farm labourer, whilst his mother Hannah is 40 years of age. His grandmother, is 80 year old widow Elizabeth Griffiths. His siblings are listed as: Frances 11, Clara 10, Hannah 8 and Annie 7.

He married Ellen Maud Sullivan on 09th September 1897 at Westminster. His marriage certificate shows that he was a drill Sergeant for the 1^st Grenadier Guards.

On the 1901 Census Josiah is aged 34, married, and a Sergeant Major at the Yorkshire Infantry Barracks, Fulford, York.

Josiah featured in the Army and Navy Gazette on the 12th March 1910

MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL

Colour-Sergt (Acting Sergt-Major) J. Morgan, formerly Grenadier Guards and 2nd V.B. Royal Sussex Regt.

He also feature in the Dover Express on the 29th July 1910

NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS SPORTS

The regimental sports of the 2nd Battn., Northumberland Fusiliers, was held on the Glacis, Western Heights, on Monday afternoon, there being a good number of spectators. The early stages of the proceedings were unhappily marred by rain, driven by a strong cold wind, but the weather cleared about 3 o'clock. Several officers, including Lieutenant-Colonel E.S. Heard were present, whilst the following were the officials:- ...... Clerk of the Course Sergeant-Major J. Morgan.

The 1911 Census finds Josiah now aged 43, married, and serving with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers at Hillsborough Barracks, Sheffield.

He enlisted in the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment on 07th September 1914 as Regimental Serjeant Major 16123. He is described as being 5'10 inches tall, weighing 228lbs, is of fair complexion, has hazel eyes and light brown hair. 

He was one of the former Grenadier Guards recruited by Ferdinand Stanley to instill military discipline into his new recruits. Josiah had previously served 21 years with the Grenadier Giards enlisting in London on 20/10/1885 in London when aged 18 years and 9 months. He served overseas in Gibraltar, Egypt 1897-98 and Sudan earning the Sudan medal with Khartoum clasp. He received the good conduct and long service medals before he transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers in 1900. In 1908 he was permitted to continue service.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall.

Josiah was admitted to Whiston Sanitorium on 07th December 1914. He died at 12.15 am on 15th December 1914 with his wife at his bedside. His service record shows he was aged 47 years 36 days, an army pensioner (Northumberland Fusiliers), occupation superintendent police. The cause of death being measels, bronco pneumonia and heart failure.

The diary of C.B Arnold gives an insight into the last hours of Josiah. Private Arnold notes that on Wednesday 09th December he was very ill and admitted to Whiston Hospital with Measles at an advanced stage. His diary for Sunday 13th December refers to the RSM being in the next bed with measles and bronco pneumonia. He states that RSM "can hardly breathe" and that doctors took 25 ounces of blood from him and that he was on oxygen. He notes that his chances are very slim. 

On the day that Josiah died, Private Arnold notes that he passed away a few minutes after midnight and that he (Pte Arnold) didnt get any sleep that night as the body was in the next bed to his own. He notes that Josiah's body was taken away to the Barracks with a military escort of 200 men. Then onto the station (presumably Prescot) there was no band but the Last Post was sounded before the body was returned to London for burial.  

Soldiers Effects records that the war gratuity was not admissible, Pension to widow Ellen Maud.

CWGC record his rank as Regimental Sergeant Major.

This untimely death means that Josiah was the first casualty of the war for the Liverpool Pals.

He was buried at Wandsworth (Earlsfield) Cemetery and is commemorated on the screen wall inside the cemetery.

Screen Walls are a type of memorial for Commonwealth War Dead, they are predominantly used to record the names of individuals who have a known grave but where it is not possible to erect a CWGC headstone or the exact location of the grave is no longer known.

There are 601 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

Following his death his widow, Ellen, lived at Wellesley House, Sloan Square, London.

We currently have no further information on Josiah Morgan, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.