Grandparents and parents

Arthur’s father was Isaac Morris, son of George and Margaret Morris of Mainstone, Shropshire. George and a brother of Isaac were both blacksmiths. Isaac was born in Mainstone about 1846. Arthur’s mother was Sarah Eleanor, born in Ludlow about 1852. They married about 1873 and had 8 children, of whom 6 survived to 1911.

In 1881 they were living in Cotton Hill, Withington, with 4 children. Isaac was a labourer. In 1891 they lived at 27 Moorfield St, Withington, with 5 children. Isaac was described as an excavator labourer. By 1901 they had moved to 12 Claremont Avenue, West Didsbury, where they still lived in 1911. At that time, Isaac was described as a drainer. Isaac died in Chorlton in 1913. Sarah later lived at 18 Leopold Avenue, West Didsbury.

Arthur

Arthur was born about November 1891 in Withington. By 1911 he was 19 and working as an invoice clerk (home trade warehouse). He attested in Manchester on 8 September 1914, service number 7980. He served with the 9th Lancashire Fusiliers. He was with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 5 July 1915 until 9 September 1915. The battalion record suggests that he was at Gallipoli. On 19 August 1915 he received a wound to the right chest. He returned home on 10 September 1915.

On 23 November 1915 he married Elizabeth Pedley at Christ Church. Her address was 29 Oak St, Didsbury.

Arthur was posted again on 28 November 1915 with the rank of private but appears to have remained in the UK. On 17 July 1916 he was discharged as no longer fit for war service. He died and was buried in Southern Cemetery on 22 February 1919, aged 27. The grave reference is TConsecrated, 666, position 1. The grave is unmarked. The burial record gives his address as 31 Oak St and his occupation as traveller.