2608 Private Alexander Morris
5/37th Battalion Australian Infantry
10th February 1918
Born in Sydney,New South Wales,Australia in 1892.His parents were George J and Harriet Morris.
In 1911 he married Lillian Rosina Braine(1891-1968).
In the 1913 Australian census,he is recorded as being employed as a fireman and living at Griffith Avenue Ryde,New South Wales.
He enlisted at the Show Ground Camp,Moore Park ,New South Wales on 20/09/1916. He was already serving in the 19th Infantry having signed up for 18 months.
Information from a medical he had on 05/06/1916 is as follows;
Height 5ft 11 1/2 inches.Weight 152lbs.Complexion medium. Eyes grey.Hair black.Teeth ok.
He embarked from Sydney aboard Benalla on 09/11/1916.
Dis-embarked in Devonport, England on 09/01/1917.
Appointed Acting Lance Corporal on 01/05/1917.
​Qualified 2nd Class at School of Musketry,Tidworth from 01/05/1917 - 24/05/1917 and had a fair working knowledge of the Lewis Gun.
On 15/06/1917 he was charged with the following offence; "Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that when acting as assistant musketry instructor at Nos102 targets,omitted to see that a rifle used by Sgt Lazarus was properly loaded".
His award was to be reprimanded by Lt Col.F.G.Woods at Durrington.
On 17/07/1917 he wrote his will,leaving all his property and effects to his wife.
On 17/09/1917 he reverts to ranks on proceeding overseas to France ex No.12 camp,Durrington.
Embarked Southampton on 17/09/1917.
Dis-embarked Rouelles on 18/09/1917.
Marched to the front on 25/09/1917.
Wounded in action on 12/10/1917 with gunshot wound to left arm.
Admitted to 2nd Casualty Clearing Station on 12/10/1917.
Admitted to 2nd Convalescence Depot in Rouen on 19/10/1917.
Admitted to 6th General Hospital, Rouen on 19/10/1917.
Admitted to 2nd Convalescence Depot on 23/10/1917.
Transferred to 11th Convalescence Depot in Buchy on 29/10/1917.
Classified as A(general service) to base (Le Havre) on 15/12/1917.
Marched to front 21/12/1917.
Rejoined 37th Battalion 24/12/1917.
Reported missing in action 12/02/1918.
His wife wrote(on 10/05/1918) to the Officer in charge of base records(Major J.M.Lean) Victoria Barracks Melbourne asking for any information on her missing husband.
Alexander was confirmed as being killed in action,but no date given as to when his body was recovered.
2 Discs and 2 pipes of his were returned via the ship Baraunga on 21/06/1918.
More effects of his were returned via the ship Barambah on 02/06/1919,these were; a pocket wallet,1 testament, post cards and letters and photos.
British War medal awarded 13/05/1921.
His wife received his Memorial scroll and Kings message on 19/01/1922.
On 14/12/1922 his wife was informed that his body could not be located within the cemetery and a special cross was erected inscribed with"Buried in this cemetery actual grave unknown."
On 01/07/1930 his wife received a letter from Officer i/c of base records.It read;
"IWGC unable to acquire the Chateau Rosenberg Military cemetery so all war graves removed to Royal Berks Extension Ploegsteert.
Unfortunately the graves of 5 men could not be located during the course of exhumation & the commission has reluctantly come to the conclusion that the original surface markers were obliterated by shell fire thereby rendering identification impossible ".
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