Pte 22177 Harold Morris

• Age: 19
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 3rd July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

22177 Private Harold MORRIS, 20th Batn KLR – KIA 03.07.1916.

Born on 26th March 1897 and baptised in St Peter’s Church on 15th September that year, Harold was the youngest of six children born to Richard Morris, a water inspector, and his wife Margaret Ann (nee Ardern), who married in St Mary’s, West Derby on 13th October 1881. At that time Richard was a plumber and living at 14 Dorothy Street as a boarder with John Moens, a water meter inspector, and his family.

In 1881, Richard and Margaret Anne, live with three children, two girls and one son, Richard aged 3 years at 20 Albany Road, Old Swan and Richard senior is shown as a water inspector.

Just three months after Harold’s birth, Margaret Ann passed away and is buried in West Derby Cemetery.

In 1901 widower, Richard, is living at 93 Bamber Street, Edge Hill, with his five children listed as; Edith 15, Richard 13, Alice 10, Jessie 7, Harold 4 (all born Liverpool).

On 05th August 1905, in St Catherine’s Church, Edge Hill, Richard senior married Martha Lindsay a widow (nee Snelson). Richard gave his address as 90 Uxbridge Street and Martha gave hers as 43 Moorgate Street, both in Wavertree.

The 1911 Census shows them at 1 Newlands Street, Everton, where they live with three of Richard’s children, including Richard aged 23, a French Polisher, and Harold a 14 year old schoolboy; and Martha’s 5 children from her first marriage, including her 20 year old daughter Isobel.

On 13th November 1914, Harold Morris enlisted in the 20th Battalion, KLR, stating his age as 19 years 12 days and his occupation as clerk. It is apparent that Harold gave a false age as he would have been only 17 years 8 months.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain

He arrived in France on 07th November 1915 and in March 1916 was admitted to 21 CCS and No. 1 General Hospital, suffering from rheumatism. He eventually rejoined 20 KLR on 14th May 1916.

On 03rd July 1916 was killed in action.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 18th July 1916

MORRIS - July 1, killed in action, aged 19 years, Harold ("Pals"), dearly beloved youngest son of Richard and M. Morris, 1 Newlands Street, Everton. (His country called; he answered.)

His family placed a notice in the Liverpool Echo on 21st July 1916

MORRIS - Mr and Mrs Morris thank all friends for kind words of sympathy in their sad bereavement. - 1 new Newlands Street.

He was awarded all three medals

Harold's body was not recovered from the battlefield or was subsequently lost as he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

Harold’s brother, Richard, also served in WW1. He enlisted in Liverpool on 17th February 1915, aged 26 years 11 months and a French polisher, of 1 Newlands Street, just 3 months after marrying Isabel Lindsay on 29th November 1914. Richard served as Driver 2407 Royal Field Artillery, throughout the war and was in France from 28th November 1915 until 30th May 1919, and was demobilised on 31st March 1920. He was awarded a Military Medal for bravery as well as his 3 WW1 medals.

Isobel’s brother, Alec, also served in WW1 as Private 3086 of 9th Battalion KLR (TF). He enlisted on 08th December 1914 and arrived in France on 12th March 1915. On 09th August 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, Alec died of wounds and his grave is in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, Section II Row A, Grave 76.

Alec's death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on 16th August 1916:

LINDSAY - August 10, died of wounds, received in action, Alec Lindsay, K.L.R., only son of the late J. B. Lindsay, and dearly beloved son of M. Morris. (Sadly missed by all at home.) - 1 Newlands Street.

Martha received her sons medals and effects and in a sworn declaration dated May 1919 stated that she was still living at 1 Newlands Street, with 4 daughters.

Soldiers Effects for Harold to Martha, the Pensions of Harold and Alec as well to Martha and father Richard.

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