MORRELL MM Joseph

Lance Corporal Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment) 1st/5th Battalion.

Age: 25 Killed in action: 03/10/1918

Service No: 200123

Awards: Military Medal

Additional information: Son of George Morrell, of Ripley, Derbyshire; husband of Eva Kate Morrell, (nee Kate Frost) of Tollesbury He was stationed in Tollesbury in 1915. It was during his time billeted at Tollesbury he met Kate Frost . On Sunday mornings a brass band led the procession to a Church Parade Service at 9.45 am, which always closed with a rousing rendering of the National Anthem.

He went to in July 1916.

The 1/5th Battalion August 1914 was formed in Derby. It was part of the Notts. & Derby Brigade, North Midland Division. On the 12 May 1915 the formation became the 139th Brigade, 46th Division. The Division was a formation created by the establishment of the Territorial Force in 1908. It moved to France 23rd-28th February 1915. He died in the Pursuit to the Selle - 9th - 12th October 1918 as the German forces were pushed back. He was killed by a shell on October 3rd. In a letter to the Vicar his officer wrote - "I knew him well. He was a good soldier, brave in action and always willing and able."

This a card he sent home

The telegram home to tell them he was off to France.

Military Medal; 1914- 1920 War Medal; 1914-1919 Victory Medal

He was posthumously awarded the Military Medal for " conspicuous bravery and gallant conduct when in action against the enemy"

The above is an excerpt from the book :- " "C" Company 1/5 Sherwood Foresters in the Battles of the 100 days" by C. N. Littleboy.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 39. Cemetery: RAMICOURT BRITISH CEMETERY , France

The village of Ramicourt was immediately east of the German fortification known as the - Line. It was captured by the 1/5th, 1/6th and 1/8th Sherwood Foresters on 3 October 1918, and the cemetery was made immediately after, close to a small German cemetery (since removed), by the 18th Field Ambulance and the 18th Corps Burial Officer. Ramicourt British Cemetery contains 118 First World War burials, ten of them unidentified. The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw. No. of Identified Casualties: 108

Last updated 15/02/2008

His name is recorded on the Roll of Honour at Saint Mary's Tollesbury

Saint Mary's Tollesbury