Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 3599
Place of Birth: Fremantle Western Australia
Address: 39 Holland St, Fremantle.
Next of Kin: Wife, Mrs Britton Thompson. Williams Road, Narrogin, Western Australia
Enlistment Date: 26 February 1917
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
Age embarkation: 33
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Machine agent
Rank: Sergeant
Regimental Number: 858
Place of Birth: York Western Australia
Address: 11 William Street, Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Father, Samuel Sweeny
Enlistment Date: 14 September 1915
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, D Company
Age embarkation: 22
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Butcher
Rank: Armourer Sergeant
Regimental Number: 999
Place of Birth: Tasmania
Address: 29 Barnett Street, Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Wife, Mrs Cecily Augustine Chapman
Enlistment Date: 18 Augast 1914
Unit Name: 44th Battalion
Age embarkation: 44
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Miner
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 967
Place of Birth: Williamstown Victoria
Address: 56 King Street, East Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Father, Griffith Owen.
Enlistment Date: 4 January 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, Headquarters
Age embarkation: 25
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Post Office assistant
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 3015
Place of Birth: Fremantle, Western Australia
Address: 1 Silas St(WW1), East Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Father, Benjamin Bradley
Enlistment Date: 4 October 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement/ 5th Machine Gun Battalion
Age embarkation: 18
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Carpenter's apprentice
Date of Death: 25 September 1917
Place of Burial: No known grave
Corporal BENJAMIN WILLIAM CAMPBELL BRADLEY
His brother, Corporal Benjamin William Campbell Bradley (3015), of the 44th Battalion, was also born and educated at Fremantle. He enlisted in September, 1916, at Wyndham, and sailed on 29th January, 1917, for England, and on completion of his training crossed to France. He made the supreme sacrifice at Passchendaele on 25th September, 1917.
Australia’s Fighting Sons of the Empire
Family/military connections
BRADLEY, Jack Edward, Lance Corporal, 12th Battalion — Streets of East Freo
“The above soldiers are sons of Benjamin and Alice Bradley, of Silas-Street, East Fremantle”
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 3497
Place of Birth: Biggleswade, England
Address: East Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Wife, Mrs Edyth Ibbs
Enlistment Date: 18 July 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
Age embarkation: 25
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Farmer
Date of Death: Fate: Returned to Australia 21 June 1919
Place of Burial: -
Links: -
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 282
Place of Birth: London England
Address: P&O Hotel, Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Cousin, Mrs Sarah Elizabeth McAuley
Enlistment Date: 2 March 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, B Company
Age embarkation: 38
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Barman
Date of Death: -
Place of Burial: -
Links: -
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 3291
Place of Birth: Albany Western Australia
Address: East Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Wife, Mrs Annie Veronica Howe
Enlistment Date: 19 February 1917
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement
Age embarkation: 29
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Labourer
Date of Death: 28 November 1962
Place of Burial: Fremantle Cemetery
Links: -
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 971 / 2086 / 3310(AIF Record used) / 7229
Place of Birth: Mosquito Island, Newcastle, New South Wales
Address: Silas Street, East Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Father, Samuel Morris
Enlistment Date: 19 February 1917
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement
Age embarkation: 24
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: lumper
THE MORRIS FAMILY
Samuel and Mary Morris and their 8 children were a well-known working class family that lived on the corner of George and Silas Streets, East Fremantle from 1914 until 1925. Three of their sons and one son-in-law served with the AIF during WWl and all returned.
Samuel Morris (1859-1925) & Mary Morris (nee Ryan, 1869-1943) and their family traveled to Western Australia from New South Wales c.1897. Family history says Samuel worked as the chief Pile Driver on the construction of the Fremantle Harbour, which opened in 1897.
The family, with their eight children (and subsequent families) mostly lived in the Fremantle area. In 1910 Samuel, Mary and their eldest son Reginald lived at 22 Hubble Street (now 8), East Fremantle and from 1912-1913 they lived at 151 Attfield Street, Fremantle.
From 1914 to 1925 the Morris family lived on the corner of George & Silas Streets Plympton and the family home ‘Milton’ was next to, and some said, underneath, the Royal George Hotel.
Of Samuel and Mary’s four sons, the second eldest Samuel Stanley Morris Snr. (b.1889) was married with one child and did not enlist in WWI but the other three sons (Reginald Walter, Thomas Adolphus and George Arthur) all enlisted, giving their next of kin as either one of their parents at Silas Street. Reginald and George listed their occupations as jockeys and were initially taken into the Light Horse before transferring together to Artillery. Thomas was a labourer. While not exemplary soldiers the three brothers, and their brother in law made a huge contribution to the war effort. Their war records give a realistic account of life as working class and single men experiencing war in Europe. Perhaps with a ‘larrikin’ spirit- Reg and George made an effort to fight together when they could, and all three returned from the War.
Reginald ‘Walt’ Walter Morris, known as ‘Jockey Jim’ (b.1887-1923) the eldest son, rode as a jockey in unofficial race meetings before and after WWI. He enlisted 14 June 1915 (Service Number 1623), trained with the 10th Light Horse Regiment, and embarked on 23 November 1915 on RMS Mongolia. In Egypt in May 1916 he transferred to Artillery. His Unit- the 111th Howitzer Battery, Australian Imperial Force served in North Africa and France/Belgium. He contracted syphilis while in London and was AWL many times throughout his service. After being arrested in London he was finally court martialed on 4 February 1918, and returned to Australia on 1 May 1919. He never married. He died in Fremantle Hospital.
On March 20, 1923, at the Fremantle Hospital, Reginald Walter, dearly beloved son of Samuel and Mary Morris, of Silas-street, East Fremantle, and a returned soldier, late of the Field Artillery, A.I.F., aged 36 years.’ (The West Australian, Wed 21 Mar 1923 p1) (Reference)
Thomas Adolphus Morris (b.1892-1956) nicknamed ‘Skin’, originally joined up to the 11th Battalion on 14 September 1914 but was discharged a fortnight later, the reason being he was ‘Not likely to become an efficient soldier’ (the usual reason given to men who could not be inducted into the Light Horsemen). He joined up again 8 March 1915 and subsequently went to Gallipoli with the 16th Battalion and was wounded twice (13 July & 8 August 1915) and discharged back in Australia on 16 June 1916. Tom enrolled again on 19 February 1917 and when the ship was in Durban (South Africa) on 23 July 1917 he was noted ‘Absent Without Leave’. Later it was found he had joined the Native Transport Corps of the African Expeditionary Force and was fighting in German East Africa under his own name. Consequently, his record was notated ‘Not Eligible for War Medals’ but on 10 August 1922 he did receive the 1914/1915 Star. Tom married Violet Gwendoline Burton in 1926, and had one daughter Pamela.
George Arthur Morris (1896-1970), nick-named ‘Skinny’, Service Number 4655, enlisted in November 1915 and embarked on the HMAT Miltiades (A28) on 12 Feb 1916 from Fremantle with the 11th Battalion. He then transferred to the 10th Light Horse Regiment, in Egypt, to be with Reg, but Reg was soon transferred to the 3rd Light Horse Regiment. Both then transferred to Artillery. George was hospitalised with VD (Gonorrhoea) in July 1916. In September 1916 he and Reg were both absent without leave and served their punishment together. In May 1917 he was deemed fit for Permanent Base after it was found he was deaf, and was discharged and returned to Australia. He married Doris Hopetoun Pridmore in June 1922, and had two sons. One, George ‘Arthur’ Morris Jr married Phyllis Weston (see Notable People) in Kalgoorlie in 1946 and they are Raymond Morris’s parents- lived at 89 Duke st. (Reference)
Samuel Stanley Morris (b.1889) & Jessie Elizabeth ‘Dollie’ (nee Wisbey) lived at 30 East Street in 1914, 132 King Street in 1916 and 149 King Street in 1917, which was Samuel Stanley’s address when he died of the Spanish Influenza on 14 July 1919. His funeral and burial were held the next day with the funeral procession leaving his parent’s place at the Cnr. Silas & George Streets. Samuel Stanley had four children and his widow subsequently married again in 1920.
The eldest Morris daughter Maggie May Morris (1888-1940) married Neil Miller (b. 1883) in Boulder WA in 1907. Her husband enlisted on the 17 August 1914 at Blackboy Hill – on the day the camp opened - and during the war Maggie lived at ‘Milton’ with her family.
Gunner, Sergeant, Lieutenant Neil Miller (#1796) embarked 31 October 1914 aboard HMAT Medic (A7) from Fremantle and served with 8th Field Artillery Battery, the 35th Fortress Company Australian Engineers 4th Division, and Australian Army Ordnance Corps. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1917. (Reference)
MILLER (nee Morris). On July 9, 1940, at Darwin, N.T., Maggie May, the dearly loved wife of Neil Miller (Commonwealth Lighthouse Service), and mother of Mrs. E.A. McNab (of Northern Territory Police) and grandmother of Neil James McNab; aged 52 years. (West Australian, Wed 17 Jul 1940 p1) (Reference)
Mary Anne (Alice) Morris (1899-1961) born Fremantle WA, married James H. Crocker c. 1921
Anna Eileen Morris (24 Dec 1901-1981) born Fremantle WA, married Frank Robson 1923
Nora Kathleen Morris (1904-1985 born Fremantle WA, married Roy Trevor Perham 1934
Family portrait c 1905/6 Standing, Left to Right: George Arthur Morris (b.1896), Reginald Walter Morris (b.1887), Samuel Stanley Morris (b.1889), Maggie May Morris (b.1888) and Thomas Adolphus Morris (b.1892) - they're around and across the back of Mrs Mary Morris (nee Ryan) sitting on the left and Samuel Morris on the right. The girl in the centre of the photo is Mary Alice Morris (b.1899), Anna Eileen Morris (b.1901) is front left, and Nora Kathleen Morris (b.1904) is front right.
Samuel Morris died at Silas Street, Plympton in 1925.
1925 The funeral of the late Mr Samuel Morris, of the Fremantle Harbor Works, and of Silas-street East Fremantle, took place on Saturday afternoon and was largely attended. The deceased, who was 66 years of age, was born at Newcastle, NSW. He had resided in this State, and principally at Fremantle, for the last 29 years. He was highly respected at the Port, and during his residence there he made many friends. A widow and a grown-up family of two sons and three daughters survive him... The pall-bearers were: Messrs. W. Glasson (president), C. Sullivan (secretary), J McKay, C. Reid, W.Steele, and S. Robinson, of the Coastal Docks River and Harbor Works Union of Workers. (The Daily News, 19 Sep 1925 p5)
In loving memory of my dear husband Samuel, who departed this life on September 3, 1925. Also dear sons Samuel, July 14, 1919; and Walter (Son), March 20, 1923. Inserted by their loving wife and mother. (The West Australian, Fri 23 Mar 1926 p1) (Reference)
In 1943 Mary Morris died at her daughters house, 53 Holland Street, East Fremantle
On November 9, 1943, at Fremantle, Mary Morris, widow of the late Samuel Morris, of 53 Holland-street, Fremantle East, loving mother of Thomas, George, Alice (Mrs J. Crocker), Anna (Mrs F. Robson), Nora (Mrs R. Perham) and the late Walter, Cis (Mrs N. Miller), and Samuel; aged 75 years. R.I.P. (The West Australian, Wed 10 Nov 1943 p1) (Reference) Loved mother of George, mother-in-law of Doris, grandma of Arthur (RAAF) and Kevin Morris (RAAF), 9 Edmund-street (changed to Chalmers St), Fremantle, beloved mother of Anna, mother-in-law of Frank, grandma of Allen (AIF) and Val Robson, dearly loved mother of Nora, mother-in-law of Roy (RAAF), grandma of Harry Perham, dearly loved grand-mother of Phyllis, Edna (AWAS), George (AIF), Stan (RAN), Jack (AIF), Fred (RAN), Albert; great-grandmother of Greg, dearly loved mother of Alice, mother-in-law of Jim, loved grandma of Joy, Jim (AIF) and Marj Crocker, grandma of Edith, Eric and Bill McNab (Adelaide, South Australia), our grandma-deeply missed by Joy, George (AIF), and Jan Devereux. (Reference)
Written and researched by Jo Darbyshire, Neil Smithson and from information and photos given by Ray Morris on his great grandparents Samuel and Mary Morris ( 2020)
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 128
Place of Birth: East Fremantle, Western Australia
Address: Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Mother, Mrs Margaret Rooke
Enlistment Date: 15 January 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, A Company
Age embarkation: 21
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Labourer/Blacksmith
Virtual War Memorial Australia: Sern 128 E. J. Gibson Fremantle Cemetery Graham Padget
Half brother Theodore Rooke (left). Edward James Gibson (Right). (reference)
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 1889
Place of Birth:
Address: Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Wife, Mrs Emily Jane Petersen
Enlistment Date: 17 March 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement
Age embarkation: 38
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Fisherman
Date of Death:
Place of Burial: -
Links: -
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 698
Place of Birth: Nhill, Victoria
Address: Meenaar, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Father, C G Rutherford
Enlistment Date: 24 March 1915
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, D Company
Age embarkation: 22
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Farm hand
Date of Death: 4 June 1917
Place of Burial: Strand Military Cemetery (Plot IV, Row C, Grave No. 12), Ploegsteert, Belgium
Links: -
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 246
Place of Birth:
Address: 23 Brookman Street(WW1), Perth, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Father, James Sale
Enlistment Date: 4 January 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, B Company
Age embarkation: 34
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Salesman
Date of Death: -
Place of Burial: -
Links: -
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 1900
Place of Birth:
Address: Perth, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Father, Captain John James Sale
Enlistment Date: 26 February 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement
Age embarkation: 25
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Salesman
Date of Death: -
Place of Burial: -
Links: -
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 964
Place of Birth: Townsville Queensland
Address: 332 Wellington Street, Perth, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Father, Mark Dunn
Enlistment Date: 1 December 1915
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, Headquarters
Age embarkation: 23
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Plumber
Date of Death: -
Place of Burial: -
Links: -
Studio portrait of Headquarters Signallers of the 44th Battalion prior to embarkation aboard HMAT Suevic (A29) on 6 June 1916. Left to right, back row: 973 Private (Pte) Walter John Wright, 964 Pte Mark Arthur Dunn and 968 Pte Charles Thomas Palmer. Third Row: 966 Pte Sidney Minchin, 961 Pte Robert John Beswick, 970 Pte David Carnegie Symers (killed in action in Belgium on 20 December 1917), 965 Pte Bertram Thomas Kell (died of wounds in France on 8 August 1918) and 974 Pte Samuel Watson. Second Row: 967 Pte William Ernest Owen, 972 Pte Thomas William Thompson, 960 Corporal Ivan James Howe (killed in action near Armentieres on 28 January 1917), 959 Signal Sergeant John Borland Cumming, 969 Pte Reuben Francis Preston and 971 Pte Lionel Newton Savage (died of wounds in France on 28 October 1917). Front Row: 962 Pte Robert Cochrane, 975 Pte Norman Charles Scroggie Wilkinson and 963 Pte Frederick James Drown (died of wounds in France on 24 June 1917). Copied from the AWM website Copyright has expired, this photo is in the public domain
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 80
Place of Birth: Fremantle, Western Australia
Address: 32 George Street, Sth Fremantle, Western Australian
Next of Kin: Wife, Mrs Sarah Cronin
Enlistment Date: 10 January 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, A Company
Age embarkation: 35
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Labourer
Date of Death: -
Place of Burial: -
Links: -
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 2805
Place of Birth: Jarrahdale Western Australia
Address: 67 Market Street(Higham’s Buildings), Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Sister, Mrs Gertrude Coyle
Enlistment Date: 12 October 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement
Age embarkation: 20
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Labourer
Date of Death: -
Place of Burial: -
Links: -
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 1912
Place of Birth: Kensington, South Australia
Address: Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Wife, Mrs Annie Isabel Smith
Enlistment Date: 1 March 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement
Age embarkation: 30
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Engine driver
Date of Death:
Place of Burial:
Links: -
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 704
Place of Birth: Perth Western Australia
Address: 4 Finnerty Street(WW1), Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin: Wife, Mrs Emily Wandless
Enlistment Date: 18 February 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, D Company
Age embarkation: 33
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Engine driver
Date of Death:
Place of Burial:
Links:
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: 162
Place of Birth: Bungey, Suffolk England
Address: 48 Ellen Street, Fremantle, Western Australia
Next of Kin:
Father, John White, Kirby Caire, Bungey, Suffolk, England
Enlistment Date: 26 February 1916
Unit Name: 44th Battalion, A Company
Age embarkation: 30
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Shunter
