Pte
Henry Morris
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 08/06/1893 |
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Place of birth: Ararua, Kaipara, New Zealand |
General information
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Last known residence: Matakohe, Northland, New Zealand |
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Profession: Farmer |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: New Zealand |
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Force: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 24/1757 |
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Enlistment date: 18/10/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Trentham, Wellington, New Zealand |
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Units: — Auckland Infantry Regiment, 2nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Wallemolen, Passendale, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 24 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: L Row: F Grave: 9 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Henry Morris was the son of James Henry and Amelia Esther Morris. He was born on 8 June 1893 in Ararua, Kaipara. Before the war he worked as a farmer and lived in Matakohe, Northland. Henry enlisted in the New Zealand Army in October 1916, where he served in the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment (1st New Zealand Infantry Brigade, New Zealand Division).
Henry died on 4 October 1917 during the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. Two attacks were planned that day for the New Zealand Division: the 1st and 4th Brigade, of which Henry’s battalion was a part, were tasked with capturing Graventafel and Abraham Heights, after which the 2nd and 3rd Brigade would pass through them to advance to the foot of the Bellevue Spur.
The attack on Graventafel and Abraham Heights consisted of two phases. A first group would cross the Hannebeek and capture the German fortified positions and trenches up to the top of the ridge. Afterwards, a second group, including the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment, would pass them and advance to the foot of the Bellevue Spur.
During the night of 3 to 4 October, Henry’s battalion occupied shell holes in the Canvas–Capricorn system. German artillery fire remained heavy until the morning of 4 October. The first group succeeded in reaching its objective. On top of the ridge, however, was the heavily defended German Korek Bunker. The 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment soon became involved in the fighting for that bunker. One section advanced further and suffered casualties from rifle fire. Others managed to encircle the German troops, who then surrendered. The New Zealand troops advanced over the ridge towards their second objective, the Bellevue Spur.
The attack was considered successful and consolidation of the captured positions began. German artillery remained active, but no counterattack followed. The following day, 5 October, the artillery bombardments continued to be heavy. During the night of 5 to 6 October the troops were relieved.
The losses of the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment were considerable: 41 men were killed, 179 wounded and 40 were missing. Henry also lost his life on 4 October at the age of 24. His body was found after the war near Wallemolen, Passendale. His remains were reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he still rests.
Henry died on 4 October 1917 during the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. Two attacks were planned that day for the New Zealand Division: the 1st and 4th Brigade, of which Henry’s battalion was a part, were tasked with capturing Graventafel and Abraham Heights, after which the 2nd and 3rd Brigade would pass through them to advance to the foot of the Bellevue Spur.
The attack on Graventafel and Abraham Heights consisted of two phases. A first group would cross the Hannebeek and capture the German fortified positions and trenches up to the top of the ridge. Afterwards, a second group, including the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment, would pass them and advance to the foot of the Bellevue Spur.
During the night of 3 to 4 October, Henry’s battalion occupied shell holes in the Canvas–Capricorn system. German artillery fire remained heavy until the morning of 4 October. The first group succeeded in reaching its objective. On top of the ridge, however, was the heavily defended German Korek Bunker. The 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment soon became involved in the fighting for that bunker. One section advanced further and suffered casualties from rifle fire. Others managed to encircle the German troops, who then surrendered. The New Zealand troops advanced over the ridge towards their second objective, the Bellevue Spur.
The attack was considered successful and consolidation of the captured positions began. German artillery remained active, but no counterattack followed. The following day, 5 October, the artillery bombardments continued to be heavy. During the night of 5 to 6 October the troops were relieved.
The losses of the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment were considerable: 41 men were killed, 179 wounded and 40 were missing. Henry also lost his life on 4 October at the age of 24. His body was found after the war near Wallemolen, Passendale. His remains were reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he still rests.
Sources 5
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Burton O.E., The Auckland regiment N.Z.E.F. 1914-1919. Being an account of the doings on active service of the first, second and third battalions of the Auckland Regiment, (Auckland, Whitcombe & Tombs, 1922), pg. 165-181. Sources used |
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Gray, J. H., First, second and third battalions the Auckland Regiment New Zealand Expeditionary Force at the Battle of Broodseinde (Third Ypres) : 4 october 1917, (Auckland, Gray JH, 2009), pg. 1-3, 16-19. Sources used |
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McCarthy C., Passchendaele: The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 112-114. Sources used |
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New Zealand Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives New Zealand, Wellington (ANZ), R21377513). https://www.archives.govt.nz/ Sources used |
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Stewart H., The New Zealand Division 1916 - 1919, (Auckland, Whitecombe & Tombs, 1921), pg. 248 - 275. Sources used |
More information 5
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/464008/ |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=e81779f0-bed8-4eb7-a464-0658a7d0930c |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7180175 |
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The NZEF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=182468 |
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Online Cenotaph (Auckland Museum) https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/c11040 |