Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Alexander Dingwell Morrison was born 1892 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, one of 3 known children born to coal miner Joseph Morrison of Penshaw, born November 21st 1871 and his first wife Margaret Hannah Logan born 1868 at Chester-le-Street, both in County Durham. They were married at Heworth, Gateshead, November 15th 1890 and went to live with her parents Alexander and Margaret Logan and their 5 children at 11 Durham Street, Witton Gilbert, near Durham. As the family grew they moved to Cromwell Road, Heworth. Alexander’s mother died aged 36 in 1904, his father remarried at the Registry Office, Gateshead, August 3rd 1907 to Elizabeth Hutchinson, aged 24 and 12 years his junior. With Elizabeth he had a further 4 children 3 sons and a daughter. In 1911, Alexander aged 18 was still single, working as a landing lad at Heworth colliery and living at 5 Grange Terrace, Heworth High Lanes with his parents and siblings.
Alexander enlisted at Gateshead, date unknown and was firstly assigned as Private 16518 Durham Light Infantry later transferred as Private 43061 to an infantry battalion of the Machine Gun Corps, Register of Soldiers gives this as the 194th Coy. The 194th became part of the 27th Division September 16th 1916 joining them near Vlamertinghe in Belgium. During 1917 they fought at the Battle of Messines, Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the Battle of Passchendaele. It was during this final battle which lasted July 31st until November 10th 1917 that Private Alexander Dingwell Morrison, Machine Gun Corps was wounded and died. His body was buried by his comrades on the battlefield north east of Ypres near St Jean (ref St. Jean 62-5256). After Armistice his body was exhumed and identified by means of 2 discs. Brought into the already existing Irish Farm Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, near Ypres, Belgium along with another 7 identified servicemen and 3 unidentified servicemen and an officer. Private 43061 Alexander Dingwell Morrison M.G.C. was interred with all reverence and military honours grave XXXIII. F. 24. He was 25 years old.
His father as sole beneficiary received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to 3, Reay’s Buildings, Heworth Lanes, Felling, County Durham. Joseph Morrison died September 16th 1940 in the district of South Shields, Northumberland.
His elder brother John William also served. He was employed as a miner by Bowes and Partners when he enlisted, aged 18, in the Territorial Force, March 1st 1909 for a period of 4 years, provided His Majesty no longer required his services. As Private 658 he was assigned to the 1st Northern Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps. He served at home until August 5th 1914 when he was sent as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force overseas transferring to the British Salonika Force. He rose through the ranks to Sergeant, returned home January 21st 1919 and was demobilised. He applied and was discharged in 1920. Awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal. John William Morrison died January 25th 1950 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917 carries a notice which reads:
“Private Alexander D. Morrison, died of wounds received in action on Oct. 16th. Son of Joseph and the late Margaret Morrison, of Heworth Lane. “
Alexander Dingwell Morrison is remembered at Heworth on H92.03, H92.04 and H92.07
