William Morris

Born 25 Apr 1880 - Died 19 Oct 1936

Service number: WWI 16/25 AWMM
Also known as: —
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
1st NZ Maori Contingent
Public - Lorraine M - Researcher - 25 February 2016 - Military Record
Last rank: —
War: World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM

William Morris — New Zealand. Army. 1st Maori Contingent. Scroll of the 1st New Zealand Maori Contingent, 1915. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-624. Cultural Permissions may apply. Cultural Permissions Apply

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Biographical information

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14452, 12 November 1917, Page 7
IN A TIGHT CORNER.
HOW LIEUT. KAIPARA. AND HIS COMRADES FELL.
Corporal Walter Heany, of the N.Z. Pioneers, writing to his mother, Mrs. Donald Gordon, of Gisborne, gives the first details that have been received respecting the death of Lieut A.P Kaipara and a number of other East Coast members of the Pioneers. The writer explains that the battalion went out wiring a stronghold that the New Zealanders had taken from the Germans. Fritz had made things very warm for them since, Corporal Heany remarks. The Pioneers got to within 100 yards of where they had to erect the entanglements, when Fritz opened up on them. The boys halted for it awhile, and then moved through shell fire to their sector. Shells were thrown all around them, and machine gun fire was turned on, this being about 1.3O a.m. The writer, details the circumstances under which Bill Morris, of Gisborne (wounded), was carried out to, the dressing station. On the way back they were up to their waists in mud, and Fritz concentrated fire on them, thus delaying them a good deal. The shells were bashing in the trenches and ploughing through the mud in the shell fire was a trying experience. Patience, however, got them through safely, though they were all fairly exhausted. Lieut. Kaipara rushed along and requested them 'to go back for Ehau, another Gisbornite who was wounded in the leg. As there was no one else he and his mate went back again with Kaipara. They were fairly beaten, and shells were falling worse than ever. Kaipara kept urging them to hurry, but they were so done up they could hardly for dear life lift their legs out of the boggy ground. Frequently they had to put the stretcher down, and then shells would burst near them, the concussion knocking them over in the mud. Eventually his mate dragged himself back to get fresh men, and he could hear Ehau calling "Come on, Heany" but he was completely knocked up. It was then that Kaipara dropped, shot through the head by a piece of shell. The writer went on to say that he had simply to lie down in the mud with the pathetic words still ringing in his ears and cursing himself for being unable to carry on. Subsequently he managed to drag himself out and to get fresh men to carry the wounded out. Two nights later they went out again to dig a trench and about midnight Fritz poured shells into them again. One shell came into the trench and killed Viv Ruru and another chap who had just joined up, besides wounding Trotter and Maharangi Pohatu. Heany was placed in charge to carry Trotter down to the dressing station, where he learned than Kaa, the Ngati Porou officer was killed, also Winiana and Dick Hale (corporal of the section). The party was carrying out one of the fellows (killed), when a shell landed right in the middle of them. With an officer, the writer went back and found their bodies, which were brought in and laid to rest. All were Gisborne and Coast boys. Donald Cameron was killed the same night as Kaipara. The casualties during the two nights were Killed, Lieutenants P Kaa, Kaipara, Cameron, and MacNeil, Corporal Hale, Privates V. Ruru, Kopua, Winiana.
wounded: -Lieutenant J Ehau, Privates R. Trotter. W. Morris, Manuel, M. Pohatu, and P Kingi

Public - Lorraine M - Researcher - 20 July 2015 - Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14452, 12 November 1917, Page 7

About death

Death: 19 Oct 1936 Public Source
Date of death: 19/10/1936
Public - Andre - Other Relative - 29 April 2015 - Military Personnel File
Age at death: 56 years 5 months 24 days
Public - Andre - Other Relative - 29 April 2015 - Calculated from Date of Birth
Place of death: Gisborne, New Zealand
Public - Andre - Other Relative - 29 April 2015 - Military Personnel File
Cause of death: Uraemia and Chronic Nephritis
Public - Andre - Other Relative - 29 April 2015 - Military Personnel File
Death notes: —
Cemetery: —
Cemetery name: Taruheru Cemetery, Gisborne, New Zealand
Public - Andre - Other Relative - 29 April 2015 - Military Personnel File
Taruheru Cemetery
Public - Andre - Other Relative - 29 April 2015 - Military Personnel File
Grave reference: Plot No. S,85
Public - Andre - Other Relative - 29 April 2015 - Military Personnel File
Obituary: MR. WILLIAM MORRIS WHATATUTU RESIDENT
After a long illness, the death occurred in Gisborne this morning of Mr. William Morris, a well-known and respected resident of the Whatatutu district. Mr. Morris had been an inmate of the Cook Hospital for many months and although he was discharged 10 days ago he was compelled to return to hospital soon after. Deceased was born at Mahia 59 years ago, being the son of the late Mr. William Morris, a whaler in the old days who later turned his hand to sheepfarming in the Kanakanaia district. Mr. Morris, jun., was engaged at farming when the Great War broke out and he went overseas with the First Maori Contingent and served in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France. Mr. Morris left Gallipoli owing to illness, and was later severely wounded at Messines. After a fairly lengthy stay in hospital Mr. Morris was returned to New Zealand. Since the war deceased had been doing station work until the last eight years, when he secured a position with the East Coast Commissioner on Pukutarewa station, Whatatutu. Mr. Morris was a favourite among his acquaintances and sincere sympathy will be extended to his widow and adopted child. A short service will be held in Cochrane’s private chapel, William street, at 10.45 a.m. on Wednesday, prior to the funeral leaving for the Taruheru cemetery
Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 9 February 2024 - OBITUARY - POVERTY BAY HERALD, VOLUME LXIII, ISSUE 19149, 19 OCTOBER 1936, PAGE 6
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William Morris

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