William Morris was born about 1898 in Saltney Ferry, which then was in Flintshire.  The 1901 census, shows that he was living with his family  at 81, Ewart Street, Mold Junction, Saltney, Flintshire.  Head of the household was William Morris Morris, 31 a railway brakeman. His wife was Mary Morris. Their children were  John W 8, George A 6, William, 3 and baby son Charles E was 1. The children were all born in Saltney Ferry, Flintshire.

By the 1911 census, the family had moved to 8, Victoria Road, Saltney and sadly the family had lost their mother Mary.  William Morris Morris, 41 was an Engineman, still at the Railway Company. The listed ‘children’ were  John William, 18,  an Engine Cleaner, and George Arthur, 16 a Telephone Attendant.  (These two eldest sons also worked for the Railway Company).  William was 13, Charles, 11, Eve Mary  9.  A nephew, Edward Morris, 9, was with the family on census night.  William had written on the census that 6 children had been born, but sadly one had died.

UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www. ancestry.co.uk  confirms the regimental details as above. His birthplace was listed as Mold, but I believe this should have said Mold Junction Saltney.  This source tells us that William was formerly 69647, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.   He enlisted at Chester. His medal card also on ‘Ancestry’ details his medals as above.

There is an index card for William Morris in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office at Hawarden.  (Card Saltney Ferry F22). It tell us that he was killed in Action at Le Cateau on the 13th October 1918, less than a month away from the Armistice. His period of service was 1 year 2 months.  The card was signed by his father, on the 6th November 1919. On the reverse of the card was written:- “Killed in Action north of the road from Le Cateau.”

William is also remembered on the Saltney War Memorial.