Private
 |
| Worcester Soldiers WWI |
Eli Morris
Service Number:
3947
Regiment & Unit/Battalion
Worcestershire Regiment
3/8th Line Depot, 2/8th Battalion
Date of Death
1966
Buried or commemorated at
Broadwas Roll of Honour
Country of Service
United Kingdom
Additional Info
Son of Mr. and Mrs.
John & Alice Morris
Family history
Eli Morris was the son of John and Alice Morris, of Doddenham. In the 1901 census Eli was 8 years old, and had five
sisters and one brother, Arthur Morris, aged 12; Lizzie Morris, aged
11; Edith Morris, aged 7; Mabel A. Morris, aged 5;
Emma Morris, aged 3; and Gertrude Morris, aged 1.
In the 1911 census
Eli was 18 years old, and had 3 brothers and 2 sisters, all at school; Emma Morris, aged 13;
Gertrude Morris, aged 11; William
Morris, aged 9; Reginald Morris, aged 7; and Ralph Morris, aged 5.
Address: Ankerdine Hill, Knightwick.
In his army records [1st March, 1915 for 4 years] he gives Alice Morris, of Broad Green, Broadwas, Worcestershire,
as his next of kin. He is 5ft 3 in tall.
Eli Morris married Annie F. Watkins, 2nd qtr., 1919 [Worcester district]
1939 Register:
Eli Morris - b. 25th April 1892 - Occupation, Small Holder.
Annie F. Morris - b. 15th December 1875 -
Occupation, Unpaid Domestic Duties.
Address: Reeves Cottages Bucknell Salop, Brampton Bryan.
Eli Morris, died in 1966 [Leominster district]
"The close of the Lys battles had left the 2/8th Worcs in the forward area south of the River Lys near St Venant.
There the Battalion remained until July 11th, alternately in front line, support or reserve. The only event of any note
was a small raid attempted by the Battalion on the night of May 27th/28th. Supported by a considerable artillery fire
one platoon of the 2/8th Worcs moved out of the darkness. A brave atempt was made to reach the enemy, but the fire
of several machine guns prevented the party from effecting an entry into the hostile posts - Casualties 2 killed, 4 wounded."
6/4/1917
2/8th Battalion capture Hill 120
A century ago today it was the turn of the Territorial Second line to attack and capture fortified high ground.
The position, known as Hill 120 was south of Berthaucourt, north-east of St Quentin. The attack was delivered under a
heavy artillery fire at 11.45pm on April 6th. After crossing the valley, the assaulting platoons of the 2/8th Worcestershire
pushed up the slope of ‘Hill 120’. Near the crest they were met by bursts of machine-gun fire, but by 1am on April 7th
the crest line had been reached and occupied. From the left, the enemy’s fire was so heavy that on that flank the attack
was held up. A simultaneous attack by the 184th Brigade up the northern bank of the Omignon had also failed, as also
had the attack of the 2/4th Gloucestershire on Fresnoy-le-Petit. Consequently the 2/8th Worcestershire were in advance
of the remainder of the Division, and the Battalion subsequently was forced to entrench a more or less triangular position
of which the apex was on the reverse slope of the captured crest, with the left flank through back to a convenient crater
position over looking the little village of Pontru.
In the task of consolidation conspicuous good work was done by Lieutenant Richard Stallard and 2/Lieutenant
George Pritchard. Both showed coolness and good judgement in directing the siting and digging of trenches under
heavy fire. They were both awarded the Military Cross. 240745 Company Sergeant-Major William Child also
distinguished himself, winning a Divisional Gallantry Card. His citation read: “… in recognition of the act of gallantry that
he performed on the 6-7th April 1917, at ---. His coolness under fire gave an admirable lead to his company.
He personally attended to the withdrawing of wounded from the firing line, and repeatedly went along the line making
sure that the company was being properly reorganised. 11.45pm Battalion attacked Hill 120 [62c.M.14.b and d] two
and a half Companies in the attack. Attack successful on right flank. Left flank held up and driven back by MG fire.
6 ORs evacuated, 1 wounded.
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