Photo: James Pasby
The headstone reads:-
Also
Flight Lieutenant
Leonard Stanley Morck R.F.C.
of the School of Aerial Navigation
and Bomb Dropping Stonehenge
who died from the results
of an accident whilst flying
June 26th 1918
aged 19 years 10 months
The life beyond shall this life transcend
And death is the beginning not the end
The Sunderland Echo 01/07/1918 reports:-
2nd-LIEUT. L. S. MORCK.
Military Funeral at Bishopwearmouth
With military honours tho remains of the late 2nd.-Lieut. Leonard Stanley Merck. R.A.F., second son of Mrs Emily Morck and of the late Mr Axel Morck. timber merchant, Sunderland, who fatally injured in an aeroplane accident while on final course of bomb dropping before proceeding to France, were inferred to-day in the family burial ground, Biahopwearmouth Cemetery. After training as a cadet at Oxford and successfully passing hie examinations Mr Morck given hie commission in the R.A.F. December 20th, 1917, and gained his wings April 20th last. In a letter condolence to the relatives the Flight Commander at tho Boscombe Aerodrome where 2nd. Lieut Morck was previously stationed, spoke of the deceased officer as a pilot of exceptional ability.
The coffin, enveloped in the Union Jack, was conveyed from 12, Rowlandson Terrace, Road, the residence his sister (Mrs David Pollock), to the cemetery on a gun carriage. the cortege being headed by a firing party and detachment of the Sherwood Foresters under the command of Captain Stevens. M.C. Captain Stanbrooke, Lieut. Macdonald, Rogers, Evans, Reynolds and Haines of the R.A.F., acted as under bearers and the cortege left the residence and while it proceeded on its way to the cemetery an aeroplane circled overhead.
The grave was lined out with evergreens, etc., and the services were conducted by the Rev. G. W. Froggatt (vicar St. Thomas's). On the plate of the polished oak coffin was the inscription:— 2nd.-Lieut Leonard Stanley Morck. No. 1. S.N. and B.D. (School Navigation and Bomb Dropping): died June 26th, 1918 aged 19 years.
Many beautiful wreaths were placed at the grave. Mr Myers carried out the funeral arrangements.
Leonard Stanley Morck is remembered at Sunderland on S140.017 and S140.048 part 9
