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Various Biographies have been published regarding Alan Wilson Morey - for details see the document AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project - AW Morey

Additional Biography

Early Life

Alan Wilson Morey was born on the 1st March 1893 at Newcastle, New South Wales, the elder son of Henry Augustus Morey and Mary Collier. Alan’s father was a stockbroker and a member of the firm Messrs Irwin and Morey.

Alan’s only sibling, a brother, Geoffrey Wilson Morey was born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1899.

Schooling

The biography in “Fallen Saints” states that Alan was initially educated at King’s School, then Tormore House, North Adelaide before later attending Queen’s School.

Alan attended the Queen’s School Sports, coming third in the 220 yards obstacle race in September 1905 and competing in the medley race in September 1906. He passed six subjects (Geography, English History, Latin, French, Algebra and Geometry) in the Primary Examinations in October 1906 and he was awarded the open scholarship to attend St Peter’s College.

In September 1906 Alan attended a Fancy Dress Dance given by Mrs W Honeywill, “Keynedon”, Brougham Place, North Adelaide. He was dressed as a brigand.

He attended St Peter’s College, Adelaide from 1907 to 1911.

Sadly for the Morey family, Henry Augustus Morey passed away in August 1907, aged only 48 years. The family was living at Buxton Street, North Adelaide at that time.

Alan was awarded the May scholarship for science in 1907 and topped the Honours List for the Junior Examinations that year, coming 5th in English History, 4th in Greek, 3rd in Latin, equal 8th in French, equal 10th in Algebra, 1st in Chemistry, equal 28th in Arithmetic and equal 11th in Geometry.

In July 1908 he attended a Fancy Dress Dance at the Town Hall dresses as Buffalo Bill and in November 1908 he boxed in the demonstration given by Mr Charlton’s pupils.

In December 1908 passed seven subjects (History, Greek, Latin, Arithmetic and Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Inorganic Chemistry) in the Senior Examinations gaining credits in three subjects and was ninth in the General Honours List. He passed the Senior Examination in French in December 1909.

Alan sat the Higher Public Examinations in 1909, 1910 and 1911 with great success. He was 4th in the General Honours List in 1909 passing Greek, Latin, French, Pure Mathematics and Inorganic Chemistry (with credit). He was awarded the Form VIA Farr prize for scripture in December 1909 and the cadet section of the Military Cadet Prize Essay competition in May 1910.

In 1910 Alan was eighth on the General Honours List passing Greek, Latin, French, Pure Mathematics and Inorganic Chemistry.

Alan was a member of the St Peter’s College rowing team in 1911.

In December 1911 Alan gained credits in all five subjects (Greek, Latin, Pure Mathematics, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry) in the Higher Public Examinations and “won for us the proud distinction of the first place in the whole examinations”.
In March1912 he passed the Special Examination in Biology for those intending to study Medicine. Later that month the family moved to live at Barton Terrace, North Adelaide.

University

Alan commenced studying medicine at the University of Adelaide in 1912. He was equal first in the first year examinations in 1912.

He was actively involved in the social life of the University, partnering Miss Lena Lewis at the University Ball in June 1912. He co-organised the Ball in 1913 and 1914 and partnered Miss Pearce at the Ball in 1913.

He was a member of the Medical Students’ Association and contributed to the musical program at the annual dinner in July 1913.

In March 1913 Alan became Honorary Secretary of the Sports Association and was one of the representatives to the sports ground committee.

For the second year in a row Alan was equal first in the medical examinations with Oscar Arnold Plotz. The pair were awarded the Elder Prizes.

In December 1913 Alan was selected as the 1913 Rhodes Scholar for the University of Adelaide.

He was one of the Secretaries who organised the 1913 procession and at the University Students’ Concert in December 1913 he performed a sketch with Hugh Cairns.

In the 1913/14 school holidays, Mrs HA Morey and her two sons (Alan and Geoffrey) took a trip to Perth.

University Sport

Boat

Alan joined Adelaide the University Boat Club and made his first appearance as cox for the Dash Eights at the Autumn Regatta in March 1912. In the Henley-on-Torrens event in December 1912 he rowed at second seat in the Forresters Fours (Maidens).

He was a member of the Inter-Varsity crew in who rowed against Melbourne University on the Yarra in June 1913. He was bow and ‘The Mail’ stated that Bow is rowing the best blade in the boat, but has contracted a habit of washing out at the finish.” (Washing out occurs when the blade comes out of the water during the pull through before the finish).

Alan also rowed for Medicine in the Adelaide University Schools’ regatta in July 1913.

Alan was again selected for the University eight for the Intervarsity in June 1914 rowing at Seat 2. A photograph of the crew rowing on the River Torrens was published in the Sport (Adelaide, SA : 1911 - 1948) on the 14 January 1916 when seven of the nine pictured had enlisted.

Rifle

Alan joined the Adelaide University Rifle Club in 1912 and was selected as the emergency for the 1912 Inter-Varsity competition in June 1912. He competed in the Metropolitan District Association Handicap match in March 1913.

In July 1913 he competed in the Imperial match which was open to all British Universities gaining a score of 179 in windy conditions. He was selected for the Intervarsity in 1913.

Lacrosse

Alan was a member of the Adelaide University Lacrosse Club in 1912 & 1913. He commenced in the C Grade in 1912 and was later promoted to the B Grade. He was a member of the B Grade team which won the Premiership in 1912.

Cricket

Alan had played cricket at Saint Peter's College and at the start of the 1912/13 season he decided to play cricket with the Adelaide University Cricket Club. In October 1912 he was named as an emergency for the B Grade team in the first match of the season against Glenelg. There is no evidence of him actually playing a game, however the B Grade matches were not always well reported in the newspapers of the day. Rowing, lacrosse and rifle became his main sporting interests while at University.

Rhodes Scholarship

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 - 1924)Sat 13 Dec 1913 Page 5

RHODES SCHOLAR
MR. A. W. MOREY SELECTED - DISTINGUISHED SCHOLASTIC CAREER

An air of expectancy permeated the University buildings yesterday. Students gathered in groups about the lobbies and in the classrooms, wearing anxious expressions, and whispering together. Now and again one would move towards the door of the council chamber where a solemn conclave was being held to decide which of the students should be selected as the Rhodes Scholar for 1914. From 10 in the morning, they waited until 1.20. when the doors were opened, and like a flash the news went around that Alan Wilson Morey, an old St. Peter's boy, had achieved the great honor.

Enthusiasm ran high when the news was announced, and young Morey was besieged "with congratulations from all quarters. The special committee, consisting of the Governor (Sir Day H. Bosanquet, the Chief Justice (Sir S. J. Way), Mr. Justice Murray, Mr. J. B- Fowler, and Professors Henderson and Chapman, had the names of seven candidates before them, and the fact that their deliberations occupied upwards of three hours indicates that their task of selecting the most suitable student was a difficult one. The scholastic and athletic records of every candidate were before the committee, and the claims of each man were carefully weighed in the balance, before the committee came to its final and unanimous decision.

From what can be gathered in the excitement, that prevailed after the important announcement, the decision is one that will meet with the hearty approval of the great majority of the students. Alan Morey has enjoyed a singular popularity among his fellow scholars, not only at the University, but in the secondary schools which he attended in earlier days. He is a young man of happy disposition and genial manner, and, besides his many scholastic accomplishments, has yet found time to "devote himself assiduously to the athletic side of University life. Although having been prominent in but a few of the sports he has ever displayed an enthusiasm for all manly games that has, to a great extent, won for him the popularity he enjoys.

Viewing the career of Alan Morey, one is forced to recognise in him another of those bright scholastic lights for which Adelaide has made herself famous. Mr Morey was born on March1, 1893, and at the age of seven years, became a student at King's School. He displayed an early assiduity in his studies, for he found himself third in the form at the end of the first year. He was from the first an enthusiast for work, and the end of the second year found him the top boy of the form.

Shortly after school resumed in 1902, illness struck him down, and he was practically an invalid until the middle of 1903. But, despite his disability in being unable to move about with ease he kept closely to his studies. He was at Tormore House in 1903, and again was the first lad in his form. The following year he was transferred to Queen's School, and finished the year again at
the top of the form. In the following year he headed the class in every week except three, in the same year passing the primary examination in eight subjects. In 1906, there came a grand reward for his industry. He carried off the Entrance Scholarship to St. Peter's College, a much-sought-for honor, on the acquirement of which the lad of 13 had set himself.

Under Canon Girdlestone young Morey soon proved his scholastic worth. When he had been at St. Peter's 12 months he was placed at the head of the form, and also had gained the May Scholarship, valued at £10. Likewise he secured the first prize in the junior public, passing with, eight subjects and eight credits, a most unusual performance. In 1908 he was again at the top of his form, gaining fifth place in the senior public examination passing seven subjects with three credits. This was a singularly fine performance for a lad of 15 years. Another honor that came his way that year was the Farrell Scholarship, valued at £50, and tenable for three years. In 1909 he secured fifth place in the higher public examination, with five subjects and one credit. The Farr Scripture prize also went to Mr. Morey in this year.

Morey is a second-year student at the Adelaide University, and is taking a course of medicine, having passed his first year's examination with ease.

To the Rhodes Scholarship committee Canon Henry Girdlestone sent the following memorandum, when the candidature was received:

"Mr. Morey has closed his school career with as brilliant an achievement as a boy could reach. His position of first in the higher public examination was secured
by credits in the maximum number of five subjects. These subjects embrace the three main branches of classics, mathematics, and science, and exhibit a striking all-round excellence. As head prefect of the school he has well responded to the difficulties involved in the position of highest responsibility that can fall to a boy at school. I feel his career at school will be the prelude to a life of energy and honor."

As already mentioned, Mr Morey is an enthusiast in all things appertaining to manly sports, and, as secretary of the University Sports Association, he has rendered such service as will be remembered long after he has taken his degree at Oxford. His principal recreation is rowing, a sport to which he has devoted his whole-hearted support at school and university. He has represented the students in a number of races on the Torrens, and, indeed, will be a member of one of the crews at the regatta today. He played for the St. Peter's cricket team a couple of years ago, but was never selected in the intercollegiate team, although, he got so far as twelfth man in his last year at the college. He has interested himself also in lacrosse and boxing, but his accomplishments have not been noteworthy in those sports.

It is interesting to note that Mr. Morey is only the second undergraduate from the Adelaide University to attain the honor which was conferred upon him yesterday. He is anxious to get into Magdalen College. Oxford, and anticipates leaving for England about the middle of next year.

A farewell was given to Alan’s mother on the 10th July 1914, as Mrs Morey and both her younger son, Geoffrey, were to travel to England with Alan. The family left Adelaide by the “Ceramic” on the 14th July 1914 and arrived in London on the 20th August 1914.

World War I

War having been declared while Alan was travelling to England, he paid a brief visit to Oxford and gained the permission of the Rhodes Trustees to enlist. He received a commission in the 11th Royal Scots and on the 18th September he travelled to Aldershot, Hampshire for training.

Alan’s service with the 11th Royal Scots is well documented in the published biographies. He was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.

After a long period of convalescing in England, Alan joined the Royal Flying Corps and gained his wings on the 29th April 1916 at the Military School, Shoreham. However in a training accident on the 20th June 1916, Alan’s plane collapsed from under him and he fell 300-500 feet and he was seriously injured.


By 24th July 1916 it was reported that Alan was “out of danger, although it will be a long time before his complete recovery can be pronounced.”

Alan underwent further operations and a long period of rehabilitation and required sticks to be able to walk. Despite his disabilities, Alan was able to return to flying and on the 5th December 1917 he was posted to 60 Squadron RFC.

Death

On the 24th January 1918, while on a patrol over France, Lieut. Alan Wilson Morey lost his life when the patrol was attacked by an Albatross scout and he turned to attack the enemy. He struck a German plane just by the pilot and both planes crashed to the ground. It was said that a “braver officer never lived.”

Alan has no known grave and is remembered on the on the Arras Flying Services Memorial in the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France and on the Commemorative Roll at the Australian War Memorial.

Martin Mobius, the German pilot killed in the crash is buried in the Vladso German Military Cemetery, near Diksmuide, Belgium.

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared by Beth Filmer for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project (with assistance from Rob O'Shannassy, Janne Filmer & Kym Beilby) please see the document attached or the Adelaide University site AdelaideConnect at
https://connect.adelaide.edu.au/nodes/view/25772