A scarce Great War 1917 ‘Passchendaele’ M.M. group of four awarded to Able Seaman A. R. Morris, Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, for his bravery as a Company Runner during fighting near ‘Irish Farm’ in October 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (WZ-155 A.B. A. R. Morris. Howe Bn: R.N.V.R.); 1914-15 Star (WZ.155, A. R. Morris, A.B., R.N.V.R.); British War and Victory Medals (W.Z.155 A. R. Morris. A.B. R.N.V.R.) nearly extremely fine and scarce to a member of the Wales Division, R.N.V.R. (4) £1,000-£1,400

John Chidzey Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, March 2012.

M.M. London Gazette 28 January 1918.

Arthur Reginald Morris, a native of Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, was born on 27 January 1892 and enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 25 January 1915. Rated Ordinary Seaman and given the number “Wales Z/155”, he was appointed Able Seaman on 16 April of that year, and was posted to the Nelson Battalion in the Dardanelles in August 1915, before being evacuated to Mudros with dysentery in September. He was evacuated to the U.K. classed as “Sick. Severe” for further treatment at Plymouth Hospital at the end of October.

Remaining in the U.K. until September 1916, he was embarked for active service in France with Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division, at the end of that month, was once more hospitalised in February and March 1917, and was awarded his Military Medal for his ‘fine example of fearlessness as a Company Runner’ that October, during an action at Irish Farm, near Reigersburg’. Morris saw further action as a member of Anson Battalion, attached 1st Royal Marine Battalion, before the War’s end, and was demobilised on 4 February 1919.

Morris’ Military Medal was received at the Royal Naval Division Depot at Blandford from Medal Office at Woolwich on 13 February 1918, and was sent to his home address on 4 December 1918.

18 M.M.’s (including 3 Second Award Bars) were awarded to Wales Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.