MORRIS, William C

William 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 Worcesters in 1917 and went on active service with the 10th Battalion later that year. He took part in the later stages of Third Ypres and early in 1918 the battalion, as part of the 19th Division, moved to the front line near St. Quentin. They were in the second defensive line when the great German Spring Offensive started on the 21st March. The first line Divisions were outnumbered and gave way, leaving the Worcesters and their fellow battalions to retreat in an orderly fashion. Nevertheless, casualties were many, and near Bapaume on the 24th March Private William Morris was killed in action. He was 19 years of age and is commemorated on the Arras, Stourbridge and St. Thomas's church Memorials and at Amblecote on the memorial to former choristers. His brother, Samuel, served in the Devons and was killed in August 1918.