Private Henry Alfred Morris 4905221, "D" Coy. 2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment

1900 Jan 20. Henry was born in Lichfield, the eldest son of Henry Alfred and Lucy (nee Williams) Morris of 57, Pool Street, Walsall, 25, Ward Street, Walsall and 70, Spout Lane, Walsall

1901 census living at 3, Abel's Yard, Old Sandford Street, Lichfield St Chad

Educated at Hillary Street School

1911 census 70 Spout Lane Walsall

1914 and found employment as a filer.

Although only 14 years of age he enlisted in the Army at Darlaston serving in the East Kent Regiment. (His father also enlisted and papers are on Ancestry, deserted twice and ends up discharged in 1917 physically unfit)

1916 Drafted to France he was wounded in action on two occasions and also gassed.

1920 Demobilised after the war, he re-enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment and was drafted to Cork, Ireland.

1921 Jul 10 Died in the Cork executions. Henry was in the company friends when they were out, unarmed, in Cork during the Irish War of Independence. The group were captured by the Sinn Fein, taken to a field and then shot to death. His officer, Captain Hordern, wrote to the family, “I regret very much to have to inform you that your son, Private H. Morris, was killed by the Irish rebels on Sunday July 10, at about 10.30pm. He was out on pass at the time with another friend in the regiment and with two men of the Royal Engineers. They were kidnapped, and although the tragedy is difficult to visualise, I feel that you would prefer to know what happened. As far as could be found out, your son and his friends were shot together. From what I saw myself when they were brought to the barracks, I am convinced that they could not have suffered, but died instantly. Your son was blindfolded and taken to a field about two to three miles from where he had been walking with his friends.”

1921 Jul 14. Henry’s body was returned to England

1921 Jul 16 He was buried at Ryecroft Cemetery, Walsall in Grave 35.5.358 with full military honours. The Reverend L.A. Wilkinson of St. Luke’s Church officiated.

Soldiers Effects gives his father

Shootings in Cork - July 1921