MORLEY, Charles Henry
| Service Number: | 28 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 June 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | Army Ordnance Corps AIF |
| Born: | Strathbogie, Victoria, Australia, 1 March 1883 |
| Home Town: | Strathbogie, Strathbogie, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Strathbogie, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Salesman |
| Died: | Syncope, due to Broncho Pneumonia consequent on Influenza , In an ambulance whilst being conveyed to Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, England from his residence at 86 Little Health, Old Charlton., 13 April 1919, aged 36 years |
| Cemetery: |
Brookwood Military Cemetery, Pirbright, Surrey, England, United Kingdom Section IV, Row E, Grave 1 |
| Memorials: | Euroa Telegraph Park, Euroa War Memorial, Queenscliff Royal Australian Garrison Artillery Third Military District Honor Roll, Strathbogie War Memorial, Thursday Island Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Battery Sergeant Major, 28, Siege Artillery Brigade | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Jul 1915: | Involvement 28, Siege Artillery Brigade, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Orsova embarkation_ship_number: A67 public_note: '' | |
| 17 Jul 1915: | Embarked 28, Siege Artillery Brigade, HMAT Orsova, Melbourne | |
| 13 Apr 1919: | Involvement Lieutenant, Army Ordnance Corps AIF, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: Australian Army Ordnance Corps awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1919-04-13 |
Help us honour Charles Henry Morley's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
"He Followed The Path Of Duty And Gave His Life For All"
Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks
His younger brother, 3190 Sergeant Edwin Joseph Morley 60th Battalion AIF, was killed in action at Fromelles 19 July 1916.
Charles was Mentioned in despatches during 1917 for his work the Australian Army Ordnance Corps.
According to his Red Cross File, Charles, who was stationed in London, England at the time, suffered a fit at his evening meal, after complaining of flu symptoms and despite the best efforts of an ambulance was pronounced dead on his arrival at the Herbert Hospital in Woolwich Court.
The following appeared in the Euroa Advertisor June 1919, “Sincere regret was expressed here when the news, arrived of Lt Charlie Morley's death. The deceased was born in this district and was the son of Mr James Morley and the late Mrs Morley, and was educated at the pioneer school of the district (2181) during the time Mr E. C. Marsh was head teacher there, but shortly afterwards left the district. He was a fine young fellow; and the type of man any district might well be proud of.”
Biography contributed by Cathy Sedgwick
The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”
Charles Henry Morley was born at Strathbogie, Victoria on 1st March, 1883 to parents James & Mary Ann Morley (nee Johnston). (Note: His date of birth was listed on his Attestation papers as 1st March, 1883, while some other sources have his date of birth as 2nd March, 1883)
Mary Ann Morley, mother of Charles Henry Morley, died on 19th September, 1897 at Euroa, Victoria.
“Charlie” Morley was an Australian Rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 7th June, 1915 in Brisbane, Queensland as a 32 year old, single, Salesman from Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, Victoria.
Charles Morley stated on his Attestation Papers that he had served in his Majesty’s Army & was still serving in R.A.G.A. for 13 10/12 years.
On 7th June, 1915 Gunner Morley joined Siege Brigade, A.I.F. He was promoted to B.S.M. (Battery Sergeant Major) on 7th June, 1915.
Battery Sergeant Major Charles Henry Morley, Service number 28, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Orsova (A67) on 17th July, 1915 with the Siege Artillery Brigade.
He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 1st October, 1915 & was posted to 55th Battery at Lydd.
2nd Lieutenant Charles Henry Morley was promoted to Lieutenant on 1st January, 1916 while posted in France. (date as per Casualty Form – Active Service, however the Record of Officers’ Services form recorded he was promoted to Lieutenant on 1st July, 1916).
On 27th February, 1916 Lieutenant Morley disembarked at Boulogne, France (as listed on Casualty Form – Active Service)
He was granted short Leave to England on 26th November, 1916 & rejoined 55th Battery in the Field from Leave on 10th December, 1916.
Lieutenant Charles Henry Morley was “transferred to the new Battery to be formed” on 13th December, 1916 (Vide A.I.F. Orders List No. 126). He was transferred to England on 13th December, 1916 to join 3rd Australian Siege Brigade. Lieutenant Morley was taken on strength on 14th December, 1916 with 338 Australian Siege Battery at Stowlangtoft, Suffolk, England.
On 23rd December, 1916 Lieutenant Morley was marched in to R.A.A.- 36th Heavy Artillery Group in England from overseas.
Lieutenant Charles Henry Morley was mentioned in Despatches by General Sir Douglas Haig for “Gallant and distinguished services in the field.” (London Gazette – 4 January, 1917 page 254 & Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – 29 June, 1917 page 1391)
He proceeded overseas to France on 12th July, 1917 & was absorbed on strength of 55th Siege Battery, RGA on 21st July, 1917 from 338 Battery. (the Record of Officers’ Services form recorded he was transferred from 338 Siege Battery on 21st July, 1917 to 36th H.A. Group).
On 1st October, 1917 Lieutenant Morley was seconded to Command of 36 H.A.G. (Heavy Artillery Group) Signal sub section & posted to command 36 H.A.G. Signal sub Section (A.I.F. List No. 246). Lieutenant Morley was posted to 36 H.A.G. & to be O.C. 36 H.A.G. Signal sub section. He was on Command at Senior course at Staff School, Cambridge (A.I.F. List 244).
Lieutenant Morley was on Command I. O. O. Course in England from 9th December, 1917. He reported on 11th December, 1917 to Ordnance College, Woolwich, England for a course.
He was admitted to Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, London, England on 4th January, 1918 – cause N.Y.D. (not yet determined). He was discharged & rejoined his Unit on 10th January, 1918.
On 2nd May, 1918 Lieutenant Morley proceeded to A.D.O.S. Northern Command for practical instruction in duties of Australian Inspecting Ordnance Officer.
Lieutenant Morley was on Leave from 18th June, 1918 until 26th June, 1918 & was then to report to A.D.O.S. Australian Corps.
He proceeded overseas to France on 27th June, 1918 & was taken on strength of A.D.O.S. Headquarters Australian Corps for duty. He was marched in to A.G.B.D. (Australian General Base Depot) at Havre, France on 28th June, 1918.
On 29th June, 1918 Lieutenant Morley was admitted to 2nd General Hospital at Havre, France– P.U.O. (Pyrexia (fever) of unknown origin). He was discharged to A.G.B.D. on 6th July, 1918 & was marched in to A.G.B.D. on the same day. Lieutenant Morley was marched out from A.G.B.D. on 9th July, 1918 & was attached for duty with A.D.O.S. Australian Corps on 11th July, 1918. He reported to 2nd Australian Ammunition Unit for duty on 19th July, 1918.
Lieutenant Morley proceeded to No. 15 Ord. Depot for Temporary Duty on 30th October, 1918. He was marched out from 4 O.R.P. on 13th November, 1918 for duty at 4th Ord. Repair Factory.
He proceeded on Leave to UK from 27th December, 1918 until 11th January, 1919.
On 11th January, 1919 Lieutenant Morley commenced attachment to High Commissioner, Australia House. He was selected for training in Australian Inspection & proof work in England & his services were placed at disposal of Lieutenant Colonel H. B. L. Gibbs, R.A.G.A. from 27th January, 1919.
Lieutenant Charles Henry Morley died on 13th April, 1919 whilst being conveyed from his residence at 86 Little Health, Old Charlton by Ambulance to Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, England (Cause not stated). Initially the cause of death was listed as Broncho Pneumonia then the following causes were listed:
“13.4.19 Died of illness so Struck off Strength.
Now reported Died of Syncope, due to Broncho Pneumonia consequent on Influenza C of E, 25450.
C of E. 25450 (Classification. Died Natural Causes)”
He was buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, England where around 365 Australian WW1 War Graves are located.
(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/mor---p.html
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