Just Another Pair Of Socks

Melton District ANZACS

John MORRIS

Personal

Born: 1892

Birthplace: Melbourne

Died: 20 September, 1918

Cause: Killed In Action

Place of death: Dog Trench near Bony, Guillemont, France

Burial place: A few yards from Dog Trench near Bony, Guillemont, France

Awards and Honours

  • Victory Medal

Battalions

38th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement

Events

Enlistment

Regimental Service Number: 3338

Enlistment date: 11 September, 1917 Ararat

Age at enlistment: 25 years 8 months

Address at enlistment: C/- Lizzie Morris, Melton

Religion: Presbyterian

Marital Status: Single

Next of kin: Sister: Miss Elizabeth Mary (Lizzie) Morris, Melton

Physical Description: Height: 5 feet 8 inches
Weight: 162 pounds
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Light brown
Distinctive marks: Flat scar of cut on shin, right leg below knee; 3 x large vaccination marks, left arm

Embarkation ship: HMAT A 38 Ulysses.

Rank: Private

War Service Summary

11/09/1917 - Enlisted
09/10/1917 - At recruit depot, Broadmeadows, training for infantry
22/12/1917 - Embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT A 38 Ulysses
16/01/1918 - Disembarked to A.I.F. camp; Suez
24/01/1918 - Embarked H.M.T. Leasowe Castle; Port Said
02/02/1918 - Disembarked Tarante
14/02/1918 - Disembarked Southampton; marched in to 10th Training Battalion
30/03/1918 - Marched in to 9th Training Battalion; Fovant via Folkestone
06/05/1918 - Proceeded overseas to France
07/05/1918 - Marched in to New Zealand Base Depot; Etaples
09/05/1918 - Marched out to the field
11/06/1918 - Wounded in Action; Gun Shot Wound to scalp; Admitted 10th Australian Field Ambulance
15/06/1918 - Discharged to duty and rejoined unit
29/09/1918 - Killed in Action; hit by shellfire at Bony while a stretcher-bearer.

War Service Commemerated

Killed in action.

Date: 22 September, 1918

22/09/1918 – Killed in Action; 38th Battalion operation at Bony. “It is believed that no burial took place as he was practically blown to pieces by shell-fire” Major Chas. Hutton, 30th January, 1919

From Red Cross report:
“This man was a stretcher bearer. He was hit in the stomach by a bullet just outside Dog Trench. He was buried … a few yards from Dog Trench near Bony. I was an eye witness.” Sgt. J. McElroy

“He was at the time of his death resourcing wounded when he was practically blown to pieces by shell fire. There are no records of any burial or cross being erected on this account. He was one of our best stretcher bearers and he practically gave his life in an attempt to rescue a wounded comrade.” L/Corp. George Purcell

Commemorated at:
Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Area, panel 130.

09/11/1921 Lizzie applied to collect Johns effects. She was told that she must prove that her parents, no brothers or elder sisters were alive. His will indicated "I give the whole of my property and effects to My sister, Lizzie Morris of Melton. "

Additional Information

Lizzie is listed in the Electoral Rolls of 1915, 1916 and 1919 as occupation, home duties, and address as C/- Melton Railway Station. John is not listed on these Rolls, although he gives his address as C/- Lizzie.

Sgt. F. Beard of the 57th Battalion makes enquiries about Johns death.

Sources

Australian War Memorial
Service Record