Private Edward Morgan. 

32613 13th Essex (West Ham) Regiment.

Missing in Action 30th November 1917, aged 27.

 

Edward was born in the Sept quarter of 1890 in Burnley. The son of James Morgan and Eleanor Berry. In the 1891 census the family lived at 1 Helena St, Burnley. James 37 drapers assist., Eleanor 34, Sarah 12, Ada 7, Henry 3, Edward 9months and brother in law Edward Berry 60 butcher.

In the 1901 census the family resided at 47 Wren St, Burnley. John 47, Eleanor 44, Sarah 22 weaver, Ada 17 weaver, Henry 13, Edward 10, John Wm 5.

The family were living at 12 Romford St Burnley at the time of the 1911 census. James 57, Eleanor 54, Henry 23 tram conductor, Edward 20 Fram servant, James Wm 15, Ada 27 weaver, Sarah Ashworth (dau) 32 and John Ashworth 34. His parents had been married 34 years and had had 8 children with 3 dying in infancy.

Edward married Sarah Helm on the 26^th Oct 1911, they had 1 son George Henry born in 1911.

Edward enlisted on the 12^th Dec 1915 and posted into the Army reserve and then mobilised on the 29^th June 1916 into the 10^th Battalion East Lancs Regt. Later being transferred into the 13^th Essex’s.

 

From the Burnley Express dated 9th February 1918: Second Time Missing.

For the second time Private Edward Morgan (27), 32613, Essex Regiment, is reported missing. The last occasion was March 1917, when after an engagement he failed to answer the roll call. Subsequently however, he was able to re-join. Now comes the news that he has been missing since November. His wife who lives at 13 Lonsdale yard, Gannow Top Burnley, is naturally very anxious and would be glad to receive any information. Private Morgan joined up in June 1916 and went on Active Service the following November. Formerly he worked for his brother-in-law Mr J Ashworth, Coal Dealer and Furniture Remover Padiham Road. He is on the Roll of Honour of Brunswick U. M. Church. Two brothers and three brothers-in-law are with the forces.

Lived at 13 Longsdale Yard

Edward is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, France: Panels 7 & 8. Husband of Sarah Morgan, of 11, Slagg St. Burnley.

 

 

The story below of Edward Morgan was kindly donated by his Granddaughter Ruth.

Edward Morgan’s Story

Edward Morgan was my Grandfather; he was killed in WW1, so I never met him. His body was never found -  or rather was not found by anyone who brought it back for identification and burial. His number was 32613, and he was in the 13^th Battallion of the Essex Regiment, “C” Company, 9^th Platoon, and he died 30 November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. Andrew, Dad, and I went to the cemetery at Louveral, near the battlefield, where Edward’s name is listed on a memorial. It is a very small cemetery, which contains some of the soldiers who died nearby, but the names on the memorial are those of men whose bodies were never found. This printout is from the Commonwealth Graves Commission website.

Initials:	E
Nationality:	United Kingdom
Rank:	Private
Regiment/Service:	Essex Regiment
Unit Text:	13th Bn.
Age:	27
Date of Death:	30/11/1917
Service No:	32613
Additional information:	Husband of Sarah Morgan, of 11, Slagg St. Burnley.
Casualty Type:	Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:	Panel 7 and 8.
Memorial:	CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL

The document below was among the things I inherited from Grandma Morgan – I think the Red Cross sent it to Grandma. It describes the battle in which my Grandfather died.

 

 

Eventually, the official letter arrived.

 

 

I have two letters - one that Edward wrote to my Grandma, his wife, and one to my father, his son. They are dated Nov 15^th and Oct 1^st respectively, but I am unsure which year.

 

Sarah Ellen, mentioned in this letter, is Sarah Ellen Ingham, Edward’s 1^st cousin once removed, and Clayton is Sarah Ellen’s son, Edward’s second cousin.

Grandma obviously tried very hard to find out more details of how Edward died. She wrote to the Red Cross and to commanders of Edward’s Regiment. She was given names of men who were alongside Edward when the Germans attacked. I have the letters she received.

 

 

 

 

 

Grandma contacted the five men listed above, and three of them replied – Alfred Carter, TJ Elliott, and Gregory George.

 

 

The entry in the Book of Remembrance at Louverval Military Cemetery, France 2013

 

 Ruth and Andrew at Louverval Military Cemetery , France 1990

 

Sashca and Cerys at Louverval Military Cemetery , France 2013

 

John, Suzi, Sascha, and Cerys at Louverval Military Cemetery , France 2013 (Edward Morgan’s name is well above their heads and not easy to photograph).

 

Medals

Edward Morgan received three medals – posthumously - all of which we have in safe-keeping.

The Next of Kin Memorial Plaque & Scroll.

 

This Bronze Plaque was accompanied by the letter on the right. To look at the history of this plaque go to http://www.greatwar.co.uk/memorials/memorial-plaque.htm

The Allied Victory Medal

 

Also known as 'Wilfred'

It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon.

The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory.

Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of 'Pip' also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'.

The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.

Edward Morgan’s details on the rim are: “32613, PTE, E. MORGAN, Essex R”

The British War Medal, 1914-18

Established on 26^th July 1919.

Also known as 'Squeak'.

The silver or bronze medal was awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5^th August 1914 and 11^th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920.

Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V.

The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.

Edward Morgan’s details on the rim are “32613, PTE, E. MORGAN, Essex