Family group:

Three: Second Lieutenant (Pilot) E. P. Morris, No. 8 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, and East Kent Regiment, formerly King Edward’s Horse, killed in action on 1 May 1917

1914-15 Star (1253 Pte., K. Edw. H.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.); together with memorial plaque (Eyre Percival Morris); illuminated memorial scroll; and a fine quality portrait miniature of recipient in R.F.C. uniform, painted on ivory, in oval arts and crafts style copper frame, signed ‘O.H. 1918’

Three: Second Lieutenant H. H. Morris, East Kent Regiment, formerly King Edward’s Horse, invalided out of the army in March 1916 suffering from severe shell shock

1914-15 Star (1306 Pte., K. Edw. H.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.) generally nearly extremely fine (8) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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Collection

See Colour Plate IV

Eyre Percival Morris was killed in action on 1 May 1917 whilst flying a BE2e over Wancourt on an artillery observation patrol. His plane received a direct hit from a shell killing both him and his Observer (Lieutenant V. R. Pfrimmer). They are both buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, France.

The following is an un-sourced quote, stated to have been made by his C.O. ‘Percy’s loss was a severe blow to the squadron. We truly believe he was destined to be one of our top aces and expected him to be awarded the Military Cross for his exploits.’

The following biographical detail is taken from South Pacific Mail, which includes photographs of both recipients, who were residing in Chile on the outbreak of the Great War:

Percival Eyre Morris: ‘Left for England in November 1914, and enlisted in the 2nd King Edward’s Horse. In May 1915, Percy Morris went to France with the 2nd K.E.H., remaining on active service for 16 months and obtaining his commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Buffs Regiment to which he was transferred early in 1916. On his return to England in September 1916, he joined the Royal Flying Corps and three months later went to France again as a pilot. He was then the youngest aviator to gain the pilot certificate, being only 23 years of age. On May 1st, 1917, he was killed in action after bringing down 5 enemy machines. Lieutenant Morris took part in the following engagements: Festubert, Givenchy, Messines, Vierstraate and Ploegsteert...’

Hugh H. Morris: ‘He left Chile with his younger brother Percy in November 1914, to join the forces and enlisted in King Edward’s Horse. After training in England he was sent to France where he served in the trenches with the 2nd K.E.H. for over a year. He then trained for a commission and was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant to the 1st Buffs Regiment. In March 1916, he was reported to be dangerously ill at Calais suffering from shell shock. He was invalided to England for treatment but has never recovered his normal health being partly paralysed with loss of speech..’