MORLEY, Thomas James Cecil
| Service Numbers: | 43, 113 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 December 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 20th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Ferozepore, India, 8 February 1870 |
| Home Town: | Neutral Bay, North Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Died: | Eventide Nursing Home, Sandgate, Brisbane, Queensland, 31 July 1949, aged 79 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld Anzac Portion 8 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 23 Dec 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 43, 20th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 113, 20th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 113, 20th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Sydney | |
| 13 Aug 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 43, 20th Infantry Battalion, 3rd MD, medically discharged (wounded) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Private Thomas Cecil James Morley (Service No. 43), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.
We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 23 September 2023, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
Thomas Cecil James Morley was born on 8 February 1870 in Ferozepore, India, to Thomas Alexander Morley and Isabella Julia Morley (nee Wilkinson).
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Liverpool New South Wales on 23 December 1914, stating his age as 39 when he was in fact aged 44, and his occupation as carpenter. After initial training, he was allotted to the 20th Battalion and embarked for overseas service from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport Berrima on 25 June 1915.
Within a few months of arriving on the Western Front, Morley was wounded in action in late July 1916, suffering a gunshot wound to the head. He was evacuated through a series of medical facilities in France and rejoined his battalion in Belgium in September. In late December he was admitted to hospital in France suffering from myalgia, and was evacuated to England several weeks later with “old age” noted as a cause.
Although he was eventually discharged from hospital, his health remained affected, and by late 1916 he was no longer considered fit for front-line duty, being assigned to medical or support roles. Continued health problems, including rheumatism and senility, led to his being invalided back to Australia in mid 1917. He was subsequently discharged as medically unfit for further service.
Following his return to Australia, he is recorded as living in Melbourne and working as a confectioner. In early January 1947 he relocated to Queensland and was soon after admitted to Eventide Nursing Home, Sandgate, Brisbane.
Private Thomas Cecil James Morley died on 31 July 1949, aged 79, and was buried in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. He was unmarried with no known children.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget
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