MORTON, Alfred Henry

Alfred Morton lived with his parents, Joseph and Mary Morton, at 389 Long Lane, Blackheath. He enlisted in the Gloucesters and was sent to the 14th (Service) Battalion. They landed in France in early 1916 and fought in the Battle of the Somme. In 1917 they were again in the front line during the Third Battle of Ypres. After the Battle of Poelcapelle the Gloucesters were involved in an attempt to take the Houthulst Forest at the northern end of the Ypres salient. They attacked on the 22nd, gained an early advance but were forced by German counter-attacks to retire. Private Alfred Morton was killed in action in this battle on the first day. He was 20 years of age and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot, Blackheath and Halesowen Memorials.