Photo: Derek Haynes

Derek Haynes has provided the following:

Born the 1st December 1893 at Stoney Lane, Southwick, William Morris was the eldest child of William Morris & Hannah James (nee Hayton). He was baptised 24th December 1893 at Holy Trinity Church, Southwick. His parents had married at the same church on the 10th June 1893. William senior was employed as a plater’s helper, possibly as he was residing in Southwick in one of the shipyards that was in the area.

By the time of the 1901 census, with the addition of another son, Thomas Hayton James (born March Q 1896 baptised 23rd February 1896) the family was residing in 2 rooms at 31 Ogle Terrace, Southwick.

William and Hannah would go on to have another 5 children:
John born December Q 1899 baptised 11th October 1899
Joseph Anderson born September Q 1909
Benjamin born June Q 1903 baptised 22nd April 1903
Hannah born 6th July 1906 baptised 1st August 1906
Jane H. born March Q 1913

All of the baptisms took place at Holy Trinity Church, Southwick.

On leaving school William began work in the Bottle Making industry. At the age of 17 the 1911 census shows his occupation as a Bottle Maker’s apprentice. Father William was still employed in the shipbuilding industry as was his son Thomas who was employed as a Boilermaker’s apprentice. The family was now at the new address of 77 Morgan Street, Southwick, and, numbering eight, they were still living in only two rooms.

Having spent time in the Durham Light Infantry Territorial Force, on the 27th May 1913, now aged 19 years, William signed up for a period of six years with the 3rd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. He was given the regimental number 8531. Details from his medical sheet describe him as being 5 feet 3 inches tall, a weight of 107 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and fresh complexion and a good physical development. He also had a tattoo of a cross on his left forearm. Character references were obtained from P.C. Francis R. Leys of Southwick and Reverend G. C. R. Cooke of St. Columba Church, Southwick. Both stated he was employed at Robert Thompson & Sons shipyard as an Apprentice Riveter and that he was a sober, honest and very trustworthy youth and both also said they had known William for five years. Unfortunately after having served with the West Yorkshire’s from 27th May 1913 until 8th May 1914 William was discharged as being permanently unfit for further service.

It was known that even after having been declared unfit for army service William enlisted into the East Yorkshire Regiment on the 27th January 1915 and was given the regimental number 16831. From enlisting until the 21st November 1915 he served at home, and then, on the 22nd November 1915, his regiment as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force left these shores to fight in Egypt. By the 3rd July 1916 William was making his way back to France from Alexandria. It would appear from records available it was because of ill health. On returning to England William was transferred to the Labour Corps with a new number 480413. This was on the 4th April 1917. It was at this time that William was admitted to Cambuslang War Hospital, Lanarkshire, Scotland where he was a patient for 2 weeks. On being released from hospital the Medical Officer reported that Private James was very much better.

The 23rd February 1918 saw William attending a medical. The record shows he was suffering from shortness of breath, heart murmur and a slight discolouration of his lips and the tips of his ears caused by lack of oxygen. It would be a month later (16th March 1918) that William was discharged from the Army for a second time as no longer physically fit for war service. His discharge sheet describes his military character as very good and that he was honest, sober and trustworthy. Because of his disabilities William would have been entitled to a War Pension as well as the entitlement to wear the Silver War Badge. As no records can be found it was not known what pension he received.

Just under a year after leaving the Army with his health deteriorating William had his final medical on 12th February 1920. He continued to have shortage of breath as well as pain and tenderness when he exerted himself. His record also mentions that William had contacted rheumatic fever while in France. His condition continued to deteriorate and sadly on the 23rd April at the family home of 12 Ogle Terrace, Southwick he passed away. The cause of death given on his medical report was pneumonia.

William aged 26 years was laid to rest on the 27th April 1920 in Section 3 Grave no. 866 of Southwick Cemetery. A CWGC headstone marks his final resting place. Inscribed at the base of the stone were the words: THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE

Silver War Badge: Designed to be worn on civilian clothing, the decoration was introduced for those honourably discharged. The most common reason for discharge was King’s Regulation Paragraph 392 (xvi) meaning they had been released on account of being permanently and physically unfit, often due to sickness, disease or war wounds. The reason behind the badge was that many of the discharged servicemen who would not be in uniform were very often harassed and approached by women who presented them with a white feather as a sign of cowardice. The badge was evidence that the men had served their country and were no longer fit to carry out any more duties.

For his service to his country William was awarded the 1915 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

His father William Morris James (Sen.) died June 1943 aged 71 years at 13 Austin Square, Southwick, he was laid to rest 26th June 1943 in Section 3 Grave no. 936 of Southwick Cemetery.

His mother Hannah James died November/December 1961 aged 88 years at 8 Manx Square, Southwick, she was laid to rest on the 5th December 1961in the same plot as her husband.

William Morris James is remembered in Sunderland on S140.048 page 214

The CWGC entry for Private James