Morris, William Oliver Ernest

2nd Lieutenant William Oliver Ernest Morris (known as Ernest)

Morris was born at Gortmore, Omagh on 11th January 1895 to William Albert Morris, Sergeant in Army and Harriett Elizabeth Morris nee Montgomery. They had married on 16th May 1892 at Enniskillen Church of Ireland. His occupation was recorded as a Sergeant in the 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. her name was recorded as Annie Elizabeth Montgomery.

In 1901 Morris (6) was living in army barracks in St Mary's, Kent with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with his parents and 2 siblings; Albert Edward (8) and Mary Isabella (3).

In 1911 Morris was living in army barracks in China and Hong Kong with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with his parents and 3 siblings; Albert, Mary and Alexandria Eleanor (9).

Following his education at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI - INST), Morris joined the Belfast Banking Company in 1913 and is recorded as working in the North City, Dublin branch. Oliver Robert Morris (an uncle ?) signed the Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, North City, Dublin branch

On 7th September 1914 Morris volunteered and enlisted in Dublin into the South Irish Horse. He was later commissioned on 9th February 1915 to the King’s Regiment and was serving with 16th Bn. attached to the 12th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) as a 2nd Lieutenant when he was killed in action on 17th June 1916.

The battalion were in the trenches in front of Potiize, east of Ypres. Following a quiet day, they were heavily shelled at dusk, with the front and support trenches being bombarded about midnight. Six men were killed, including Morris. 

The Belfast News Letter of 23rd June 1916 reports:

Morris is buried in the Potiize Chateau Wood Cemetery, leper West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

The family memorial in Breandrum Cemetery in Enniskillen. Capt W A Morris MC (father) 19th March 1917 and his son Lt E Morris 17th June 1916.

[Photo courtesy of Nigel Henderson, Great War Ulster Newspaper Archives]

Morris is also remembered on the RBAI (INST) 1914-18 War Memorial:

Photograph courtesy of LennonWylie

The regimental magazine 'The Sprig' records Morris' death as follows:

['The Sprig' - Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers regimental magazine]

A Pension Card in favour of Ernest's mother was created: