Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Ypres’ M.M. group of four awarded to Second Lieutenant R. H. Morton, No. 66 (Training) Squadron, Royal Air Force, formerly Canadian Engineers, who was killed in a flying accident 3 July 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (106408 Cpl. R. H. Morton. 3/D. Sig: Co: Can: Eng:); 1914-15 Star (106408 S. Cpl. R. H. Morton. 1/Can: Mtd: Rif:); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. H. Morton. R.A.F.) nearly extremely fine (4) £400-£500

Dix Noonan Webb, June 2002.

M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1916. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous bravery on 2nd June 1916, and throughout recent operations in the Ypres Salient. He personally mended telephone lines during severe shell fire and gave invaluable assistance in maintaining communications by the gallant example he set the men in his charge. He also went out to assist a comrade who had been mortally wounded on the 3rd June.’

Ruben Harold Morton was born Crewkerne, Somerset in June 1886. He was a Telegrapher by trade, and enlisted into the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 30 December 1914. Morton initially served as in the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, before transferring to the Canadian Engineers. In April 1918 he was commissioned into the R.A.F. as an Observer, with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant; and subsequently resumed his Pilot training course. He was killed on 3 July 1918 whilst training in an R.E.8 at Yatesbury, when the engine stalled, causing the plane to go into a spin and plummet to the ground. Second Lieutenant Morton is buried in New Southgate Cemetery, Hertfordshire.