MORRIS, Samuel

Samuel Morris was the son of James and Elizabeth Morris of 122 Brettell Lane, Amblecote. He and his brother were choristers at Holy Trinity, Amblecote and the family later moved to New Street, Stourbridge, where his father was a watchmaker. He enlisted in the Devons and was posted to the 1st Battalion, probably in 1918 after the 5th Division had returned from Italy. They moved to the Somme front near Ayette to take part in the Advance to Victory. The campaign opened on the 21st August and, in spite of serious enemy resistance, drove the enemy steadily back. On the 28th the Devons were engaged in a major pincer attack on Bapaume but suffered serious casualties. Among those killed in action was Private Samuel Morris. He was 18 years of age and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois, Stourbridge, and St. Thomas's church Memorials and on the Amblecote memorial to former choristers. His brother, William, served in the Worcesters and was killed in March 1918.