Born at Southport in 1894, son of Thomas (Mining Engineer) and Teresa Morris. 1901: Parents at “The Chestnuts”, Woodford, and Ian with his grandparents at 30 Crescent Road, Birkdale, Lancashire. 1911: An Insurance Clerk with his widowed mother at 9 St Alban’s Road, Woodford Green. Educated at Hampton Lodge Chester, Bebington College, Cheshire, Woodford College Essex, and in France.
He was a member of Woodford and Chigwell Cricket Clubs, the Junior Imperial League and Parish Church Guild, participating in several of their dramatic productions. His name appeared in the Roll of Honour for Woodford Albion Football Club which was published in the Woodford Times.
He arrived in Egypt (Suez Canal) as a Private with the Hertfordshire Yeomanry on 5th November 1914, and was Commissioned into 1/8 Lancashire Fusiliers in 1915 (they had landed at Gallipoli on 5th May 1915). At 09.40 on 7th August 1915 the Battalion took part in phase two of the diversionary attack known as the Battle of Krithia Vinyard. Their frontal attack failed to break through in the face of overwhelming and ferocious Turkish resistance, and this engagement became another example of much loss of life for no material gain. Ian Morris was Killed in Action during this battle.
He is also remembered on the Wanstead War Memorial.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Principal Sources:
Ancestry.com