Morris, A
Lance Corporal Arthur Morris
I have discovered that my grandfather, Arthur Morris, was a POW at Stalag VIIIB. His surname at birth was Moritz, the family originally coming from Prussia. Documents found after my grandmother died show that she received a letter dated 15th June 1940 stating he was reported as missing on 31st May 1940. A further letter dated 21st September 1940 confirms that he was being held as a POW at Stalag VIIIB. I also have the letter, dated 30th October 1943, stating he had arrived back in England to be repatriated from Germany. From a postcard dated 24th October 1943, he writes that he was already in England
He enlisted on 28th November 1929 in Wrexham, Wales. He left The Cameronians on 1st February 1946, joining the Coldstream Guards the following day until he left due to ill health on 7th October 1955. He served for over 25 years in Egypt, India, BEF, North West Europe, Middle East Land Force and the British Army of the Rhine.
My grandfather was a trained musician, playing the clarinet and saxophone. He was awarded the 1939/1943 Star, France & Germany Star war medal 1939/45, Long service and good conduct medals (sadly the whereabouts are unknown) He died on 31st October 1965, on his wife’s birthday, aged only 52 years from Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema which we believe was a direct result of him working in the coal mines whilst a POW. We do not know what happened to him whilst a POW or where and how he was captured. My mother tells me he never spoke about his time as a POW. He was strict and very stern and my mother never knew why.
From what I have found out so far, she tells me it is starting to make sense about how he was. He was the never the same when he came back.
Diane Walker
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