The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Morris
- First Name:
- William Richard
- Rank:
- Pte
- Regimental #:
- WX8200
- Company:
- D Coy 2/3rd MGB
- Enlisted:
- 16.08.1940
- Discharged:
- 4.05.1944
- DOB:
- 20.10.1901
- Place of Birth:
- Kalgoorlie WA
- Religion:
- C of E
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Prospector
General Description
Morris enlisted at Menzies August 1940. (read Menzies Enlistments) He later joined 2/4th MGB becoming a Storeman with ‘C’ Company. He was sent to South Australia and Northern Territory with 2/4th for training.
He was one of many 2/4th men who jumped ship (AWL) from ‘Aquitania’ when it anchored at Gage Roads, Fremantle for one night 15 January 1942. Unfortunately Morris was one of about 90 men who were unable to reboard before ‘Aquitania’ sailed for Singapore the next day.
Please read the story
Morris was one of about 90 X 2/4th soldiers who were landed at Java as Singapore was about to fall.
Morris was evacuated sick from Java to Ceylon before the Japanese took Java and probably on one of the last hospital ships to leave Java.
Read about evacuation from Java
He embarked HMT ‘Stirling Castle’ at Ceylon 13 March 1842 and disembarked Melbourne 28 March 1942. He was transferred to 5th Military District Hospital disembarking HMT Egra 13 April 1942. Classified medically fit on 27 April 1942, Morris was Taken on Strength with 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion on 20 May 1942 – Tech Storeman.
Six months later he was admitted to hospital 25 Nov 1942 after an explosives accident and evacuated to 113th Australian General Hospital (Concord, Melbourne) and then transferred to 115th Australian General Hospital (Heidelberg, Melbourne) on 18 Dec 1942.
His right hand was amputated above the wrist on 9 Feb 1944. And he was discharged 4 May 1944.
Review WX8200 William Morris‘ military records held at NAA.
