Private James Alfred Morgan - Silver badge
| Date of Birth | 3 October 1892 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 25 |
| Date of Death | 1 June 1918 |
| Service Number | L/15552 |
| Military Service | 10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) |
| Merton Address | 32 Aston Road, Raynes Park |
| Local Memorial | St. Saviour’s Church, Raynes Park |
Additional Information
James Alfred Morgan was born to parents William, who worked as a waiter and Sarah (nee Smith). His parents had married in 1883 in the Strand, London and the couple lived in this area with their growing family for several years ending up at 18 Chatham Street, Newington by 1891.
When James was born the following year on 3rd October 1892, his parents already had six children: Mabel 9, Louisa 8, Alice 7, William 6, Frederick 5 and Lillie 1.
On 22nd June 1896 James and his sister Lillie were both registered as pupils at Comber Grove School in Southwark. Their home address was listed as 65 Langton Road, Kennington.
Another child Ellen Elsie was born in 1897 and baptised on 29th August at St. John the Divine in Kennington. The family were still at the same address in Langston Road.
By 1901 James’s parents William, who was still working as a waiter and Sarah and six of their children were still at Langston Road. (Only Mabel and Alice appear to have left home).
In the census of 1911 James’s parents had been married for 28 years and were living at 32 Aston Road, Raynes Park, a house with 5 rooms. Of nine children born to them one had died. (Eleanor born in July 1889, but died in the December). Their seven eldest children had now all left home leaving just the youngest Ellen aged 13 living with them.
When war broke out James was aged 21. He enlisted in London with the Royal Fusiliers 10th Battalion as a Private on 21st August 1914. His service number was L/15552. The Royal Fusiliers were also known as the City of London Regiment. They were formed in London in August 1914 and raised no fewer than 47 Battalions. They were mobilised for war in July 1915 and landed at Boulogne on 30th July 1915. They were engaged in various actions on the western front and were involved in the battle of Ancre in 1916 and the 1st and 2nd battle of Scarpe in 1917.
James married Dorothy Amy Denne sometime during Oct-Dec 1916. The marriage was registered in Kingston. (In 1911 Dorothy was living with her mother Emily and stepfather Robert White at 66 Cambridge Grove Road, Kingston) .
James died from wounds on 1st June 1918, aged 25 and was buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport. - a small seaport 25 Kilometres NE of Dieppe. He is also remembered on a War Memorial at St. Saviours Church Raynes Park, close to his parents’ home in Aston Road.