The Young Sergeant Major - George Morris

Remember Them - December 2004

George James Morris left his job at Newport Docks joined the Army in September 1914. He was just 17 years old - too young to enlist but this was true of so many men in those heady days of 1914. Like his father, George had started his working life as a Coal Trimmer in the Docks. After basic army training in Hampshire, he was posted to 5th (Service) Battalion which later became the Pioneers to 19th Division. The Battalion under the command of the redoubtable Colonel Trower was to go to France in July 1915. The soldiers of the battalion served continuously on the Western Front until the armistice in November 1918. By 1917, No. 14369 George Morris was a Sergeant and in February 1918 when only just aged 20, he was appointed Company Sergeant Major of D Company.

It was during period 9th-19th April 1918 when the battalion suffered over 200 casualties at Messines Ridge that CSM Morris was recommended for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, in the words of Colonel Trower, his Commanding Officer, 'for continuous acts of gallantry and devotion to duty since the outbreak of war. He showed the best of examples whilst at home and since his arrival in France . He has been again and again specially brought to my notice by his Company Commander for intrepid leadership and disregard of personal safety whilst in command of his platoon' .

However, a month previously the Germans had mounted ruthless counter-attacks at Cambrai - near Fremicourt. D Company struck out and attempted an impossible counter-attack of their own against the massed German infantry. For his actions in this attack, George Morris was also recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations from 23rd to 27th March 1918 . He showed magnificent coolness and contempt of danger under most trying circumstances. It was largely due to his splendid example that his Company did so well. For two days he commanded two platoons with great ability after the all the officers had been wounded'.

The London Gazette dated 3rd June 1918 announced the award of the DCM with a Bar to the 20 year old Sergeant Major Morris. This announcement of double award to one soldier is probably unique. Some 24,600 awards for the DCM for the Army were made in the Great War with only 472 1st Bars. Only nine soldiers of South Wales Borderers received a bar to their DCM during WW1.

It was on 7th June 1918 , during enemy shelling of the battalion line at Bois-des-Eglisse, that the Sergeant Major was wounded and transferred to hospital.

After the war, George Morris, the distinguished young soldier, returned to his old job at Newport Docks and retired 47 years later in 1966. Sadly, retirement was short for him; George died at home in Maesglas Crescent a few months later aged just 69. In September 2004, his medals were presented the South Wales Borderers Museum by his son, also called George Morris. They have pride of place in the Museum's Medal Room for George Morris's service will not be forgotten.