Neville Bernard (Doc) MORTON

MORTON, Neville Bernard

Service Number: NX200630
Enlisted: 17 April 1943
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 2nd/1st Infantry Battalion
Born: Gladstone, New South Wales, Australia, 10 May 1924
Home Town: Gladstone, Kempsey, New South Wales
Schooling: St Joseph's Convent, Smithtown, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation: Nestle factory, Smithtown
Died: Killed in Action, New Guinea, 25 March 1945, aged 20 years
Cemetery: Lae War Cemetery
J. D. 12.
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Gladstone War Memorial
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World War 2 Service

17 Apr 1943: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, NX200630, 2nd/1st Infantry Battalion
25 Mar 1945: Involvement Private, NX200630, 2nd/1st Infantry Battalion, Aitape - Wewak, New Guinea

Letter to a mate

OPEN LETTER TO NX 200630 Pte N B Morton 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion K.I.A. 25.3.45

Dear Doc,

We survivors were thrilled to read in The First Post (Oct 1995) that the ‘Neville Morton Drive” off Crescent Head Road has been named after you.

Do you remember, the first bad news that day was that the muddy water we had been drinking revealed a dead Jap in it, as the level was lowered. The second bad news was that after you made contact, heavy fire came from the ridge and you wouldn’t answer our many calls to you. “Hec” Bowan came up the track to find you, but was shot next to me, in the arm and leg. Merv Sheen worked his bren well, but Cisco lying behind a tree had the top of his slouch hat shot off. On the order “withdraw”, we all got out without further wounds.

Then the coy commander started to order 100 rounds gunfire from the 25 pounders and told us to retreat further. Sgt Frank Upham jumped to his feet and said to the C.C. – “No man moves past this tree until we find Doc Morton”. In true spirit of the AIF the CC apologized to Frank and ordered us “Go back and find Morton”.

So four of us crawled back and we did find you Doc. We tied a rope around your leg and dragged you out of the line of fire. Your denture fell out and I put it in my pocket, hoping you would need it, but you were gone, so two of us put you on a stretcher and carried you to the rear, where we dug a grave and buried you and you became a map reference high in those jungle hills. We slept near you that night.

Next day, after the artillery fired their 100 round or more we went back up the slope. You never had a chance Doc. The Japs were lined along the ridge, each covering the slope and the track. We even saw some Japs running down the other side. We think one had your hat.

You weren’t the last killed in that needless campaign Doc. Willoughby­ Jackson and 4 others died from Mortars at Karawop, where Snowy Searle had a terrible death from a land mine. Don Carmichael, Eric Bowen and D’arcy McPhillps were also to die. Harry Hughes, Dick Mulholland, Cec Bevan and James each lost his right arm. The 6th Aust Div lost over 600 dead – 443 from battle wounds

Even after the war problems continued with at least 4 suicides. The soldier who accidentally killed Bob Morris laid his head on the railway line at Chatswood.

Doubt you’ll ever get this letter Doc, but we survivors remember: we’ve had fifty more years than you. Cheerio Doc, may meet you soon, your old comrade in arms arms,


Bren No 5535 (2/1 Inf Bn)

What colours we had – Black over Green! What a leader – P.A. Cullen!

From 1RAR Website

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Biography contributed by Steve Larkins

Son of Leo Macleay Morton and Ellen Adelaide Morton, of Gladstone, New South Wales. (CWGC)

Biography contributed by Graham Prior

Neville Morton Drive, off Crescent Head Rd, Kempsey is named for him

STREETS OF HONOUR - The Macleay Valley's Tribute to its silent heroes