Lieutenant John Child MORRIS
8th (Service) Battalion Welsh Regiment (Pioneers)

Date of birth: 12th January 1892
Date of death: 8th August 1915

Killed in action aged 23
Commemorated on the Helles Memorial Panels 140-144
He was born at Billingshurst, Sussex on the 12th of January 1892 the eldest son of Robert Morris, a farmer, and Maria (nee Child) of “Five Oaks”, Billingshurst. He was christened at Slinfold on the 21st of February 1892.

He was educated at the King’s School Canterbury from September 1905 to July 1911 where he was a member of the Officer Training Corps for two years. He went on to Magdalene College Cambridge where he obtained a BA in June 1914 and was a member of the Cambridge University Officer Training Corps for three years, achieving Certificate A.

He had intended to go on to Wells Theological College to take holy orders but on the outbreak of war he decided to join the army and he applied for a commission in the infantry on the 20th of August 1914. At a medical examination, which was held on the same day, it was recorded that he was six feet four inches tall and that he weighed one hundred and seventy five pounds. He was commissioned, through the Cambridge University Officer Training Corps, as a 2nd Lieutenant on the 4th of January 1915. He was posted to the 8th Battalion Welsh Regiment and was sent for a short period of training at Royston in Hertfordshire.

As the pioneer battalion of the 13th Division his unit landed at Anzac Cove on the 4th of August 1915 and moved to bivouacs in Shrapnel Gully. At 10pm on the 6th of August they moved via Anzac and Beach Road to Chailak Dere to support an attack on Chunuk Bair. On the 7th they moved into bivouacs on Rhododendron Ridge and on the 8th they moved forward to the attack. A and B Companies were in the first line with C and D Companies in support. The first wave came under fire from both flanks and the war diary notes that the Battalion deployed “but were gradually shot down and dispersed by machine gun fire.” A party under Major Yates continued forward and took up positions on the slopes of Chunuk Bair. The war diary also reports that there was heavy fire from the rear and that the enemy made repeated attacks during the day and Major Yates’ party of 25 men retired at 9pm to Rhododendron Ridge. Casualties were 4 officers killed, 9 wounded, 4 missing. 4 other ranks killed, 154 wounded and 266 missing. John Morris was among the missing.

His father received the following telegram dated the 12th of August 1915: -

"Regret to inform you that Lt. J.C. Morris Welsh Regt. reported missing Aug. 8th. This does not necessarily mean he is wounded or killed."

He received a further telegram dated the 16th of August 1915: -

"Deeply regret to inform you that Lt. J.C. Morris Welsh Regt. previously reported missing Aug. 8th is now reported killed in action. Lord Kitchener expresses his sympathy."

He is commemorated on the war memorial at Billingshurst.
 

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