Ancestor Details
Name of Ancestor: Thomas Charles Morris
Ancestor's date of birth: 1876
Ancestor's date of death: 05/10/1955
Cause of Death: Old age
Service Number: 244
Colony or State of enlistment: NSW, Place of Enlistment: Singleton
Unit: New South Wales Lancers
Rank attained in Boer War: TPR, Date Effective: 1898
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No post Boer War promotions, at least in the Army.
Murray Page: 11
Contingent: First New South Wales
Ship: Nineveh, Date of Sailing: 09/10/1899 (from the UK)
Memorial details: Buried at the Corowa old cemetery. Commemorated in the New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum, Parramatta.
Decorations: Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps.
Personal Characteristics: Very brave soldier. Bravest Lancer.
Reasons to go and fight: Was a Lancer before the conflict and has travelled to Aldershot in March 1899 to train with British regular cavalry.
Details of service in war: From November 1899 in northern Cape Colony, Free State, and east Transvaal; with French's cavalry division during the relief of Kimberley (February 1900). Tom Morris was the first Aust nominated for Victoria Cross for rescuing Trooper Harrison a fellow Lancer under fire.
Service and life after the Boer War: Tom was invalided to Australia with typhoid in June 1900. He married Amy Clare Nickson on 5 March 1906 in Coolamon NSW. They had three children: Gladys Ellen, Edwin James, and Irene. He joined the NSW Police Force, rising to the rank of Sergeant, and showing great bravery on many occasions. CLICK HERE to read a more detailed account of Tom Morris' life.
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Ruth Ellen Phoenix, Seymour VIC
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandaughter Daughter of Gladys EllenName of Descendant: Fiona Allison Morris, Yarrawonga VIC
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Grand Daughter
