Isaac was born in Halkyn in early 1897, the eldest son of Robert Morris of Gwernaffield, a lead miner, and Sarah (nee Jones) of Nannerch.
In 1901 Robert and Sarah were living at Glan Y Afon, Hendre, Rhydymwyn, with their sons Isaac, John and George, aged 4, 2 and 9months.
In 1911 Robert and Sarah were living at Beech Cottage, Hendre, Rhydymwyn – where they lived until at least 1921 – with Sarah’s elderly widowed father and their children John, George, Olwen and R. Idwal, aged 12, 10, 3 and 1. Isaac was 14 and was living at Pen y Gelli, Hendre, working as a farm hand.
On 17 November 1915, aged 19, Isaac enlisted at Mold with the 20th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers, giving his address as Beech Cottage, Hendre, and his next of kin as his mother, Sarah, of the same address. His enlistment form states that he was 5′ 4″, 120lbs with a 34″ chest.
His service records show that on 19 April 1916 he embarked at Folkestone, the following day he joined at Étaples. On 13 May 1916 he was posted, and proceeded to 10th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He joined the Battalion on 19 May 1916.
On 21 July 1916 he was listed as missing. His service record states that ‘Death is accepted for official purposes on or since 20 July 1916’. He was 19 years old and had served for 248 days in total – 154 at home, and 94 in France.
Amongst his service records are receipts signed by his father, Robert, for his Memorial Scroll, and a receipt dated 16 December 1921 for his Medals.
Isaac is mentioned on the family grave at Rhydymwyn Churchyard.
Isaac’s CWGC record can be viewed here.
Sources:
-Censuses:
–1901: Class: RG13; Piece: 5211; Folio: 93; Page: 2
–1911: Class: RG14; Piece: 33951; Schedule Number: 15
-Flintshire WW1 records: Ref: D/DM/181 RHYDYMWYN F4, available from Flintshire.gov.uk
-Casualty details available from cwgc.org
-MIC, SDGW and Service Records are available at Ancestry.co.uk or Findmypast.co.uk
-Parish marriage, baptism and burial records available at Flintshire Records Office, Hawarden, or original images are available to view at Findmypast.co.uk
-Many record indexes can be found for free at freebmd.org.uk or familysearch.org
