Photo: CLS Heritage Group
In Ropery Lane Cemetery, Chester-le-Street is a family headstone which reads:-
In
loving memory
of
GEORGE EDWARD
beloved husband of
MARY JANE MORRIS
of Plawsworth
who died September 6th 1902
aged 43 years
Also the above
MARY JANE MORRIS
who died February 2nd 1929
aged 69 years
Also GEORGE MORRIS
beloved son of the above
killed in action 1916
William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
George was born at Waldridge near Chester le Street on 23 March 1885 to parents George Edward and Mary Jane (nee Gibson). His parents had married at Durham in 1883.
The 1891 census shows the family as father, George, a joiner mother Mary with children William, John and Frederick.
By 1901 everything has changed in that his father now runs a pub, the Red Lion at Plawsworth. His father is listed as a publican/taverner with his own account. Also at the pub are 4 servants who probably helped in the bar. Son, George, is now a clerk with the railway company.
His father died in 1902 so no doubt the family have further upheavals to deal with.
George was initiated into the Earl of Durham Lodge, at the Masonic Hall, Chester le Street on November 4th 1908 becoming a full member the following year.
In 1911 he was boarding with the Walton family at Plawsworth. His is working was a labourer in the mine above ground. Mother Mary Jane and brother Frederick are at Prissick Street Hartlepool.
When war broke out George enlisted almost at once. He signed up at Chester le Street on 31 August 1914. His records show him to be 5’10” tall, fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. He was a member of the Church of England.
He was stationed at Carlisle for a couple of weeks before transferring to Lulworth camp in Dorset for training. He arrived about 15 September 1914. On 24 July 1915 he was posted to France disembarking at Boulogne.
He was promoted to sergeant on 8 July 1915 but unfortunately due to drunkenness he was demoted back to private not long afterwards on 2 September 1915.
George was killed in action on 6 August 1916. His body was never recovered. His total service amounted to 1 year 341 days.
He was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
The Chester-le-Street Chronicle 01/09/1916 reads:-
Pte. George Morris, Yorkshire Regiment has been killed. For many years his family owned the Red Lion Inn on the Durham Road at Plawsworth.
Mary Jane Morris died at Hartlepool in 1929 and was buried at Chester-le-Street.
Rev. David Youngson has submitted the following:
14933 Private George MORRIS
Border Regiment 7th Battalion
He was born at Waldridge. A Clerk residing at Plawsworth, he was Initiated into 1274 Earl of Durham Lodge, Masonic Hall, Chester le Street on the 4th November 1908; Passed 3rd March 1909 and Raised on the 7th April 1909. (No payments appear to have been made after 1909).
His residence is recorded as Hartlepool but he enlisted at Chester le Street. He was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme on the 6th August 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France Pier and Face 6A & 7C
George Morris is remembered at Hartlepool on H115.09 and H115.30 at Kimblesworth on K24.02 and as serving with the East Yorkshire Regiment on K24.03 and on the Durham Masonic Roll of Honour
