Walter Morris
Walter Morris was the twin brother of Albert Morris, born in 1892, the sons of Joseph and Elizabeth Morris (nee Brown) who had nine children altogether. Joseph had worked for much of his life as an agricultural labourer but by 1911 at the age of 58 he was running the Co-Operative Stores in Coventry Road, Stoneleigh, and had become a well-known character in the village, also heavily involved in the running of the village club. Both Albert and Arthur are named on the Roll of Honour as having returned safely from the war.
Walter and Albert were baptised in Stoneleigh Church in September 1892 and lived with their parents at the Co-Operative Stores. After attending Stoneleigh School Walter was first employed as a gardener but by 1911 was working as a driller at the Daimler motor works. He quickly enlisted in September 1914 in the 7th Bn Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry as Private 13590 ; after a period of rather makeshift training for new recruits (khaki uniform and equipment was not made available until February 1915) he embarked for France with his battalion as part of the 26th Division, being concentrated west of Amiens. In November 1915, however, the Division moved to Salonika, where it remained until the end of the war.
Walter Morris was killed on March 18th 1918, having participated in several battles in Salonika in 1916 and 1917. There is no certainty about how he died and the War Diary records that March 18th was "a quiet day". There had been persistent light shelling, however, and Walter is recorded as having been killed in action on that day. He is buried at Karasouli Military cemetery, Thessalonika, Greece, grave reference 1387.