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Auction: 21103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction 4
Lot: 317

Six: Major P. B. Morris, Royal Army Service Corps

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Radfan, South Arabia, (Major P. B. Morris. RASC.), second clasp sewn upon riband as issued; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (Philip B. Morris, 27th Aug. 1937) with integral bronze top riband buckle, the campaign medals mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (6)

M.I.D. London Gazette 23 May 1946:

‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Mediterranean Theatre.’

R.H.S. Case no. 54,434: ‘Philip Brudenell Morris, the son of Colonel T. Morris, O.B.E., M.C., a Radley Schoolboy, aged 17 years, effected a successful rescue at Filey Brig, North Yorkshire on 17 August 1937.’

A local newspaper reported: ‘Towards the end of August last, a Mrs Ward, of Goole, slipped on the rocks at Filey Brig, Yorkshire, and fell into 10 feet of sea. The Brig is extremely dangerous with any sea running, owing to the deep water and the effect of the waves pounding among the jagged rock. Mrs Ward being unable to swim, and those in her party being in like case, she was being rapidly carried out to sea. However, young Philip Brydenell [sic] Morris, a Radley boy, the son of Major Temple Morris of Ours, who had witnessed from nearby the scene of what would have been a certain catastrophe, ran across, dived in, and brought her to a rock where she could be lifted out. A strong sea was running at the time, which added considerably to the difficulty of the achievement. When Mrs Ward had been brought to shore by a relay of visitors, a doctor who had been summoned found that she had sustained a compound fracture of both legs.
Young Philip Morris after seeing Mrs Ward in safe hands, went off without giving his name.

He has since been awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Bronze Medal and Certificate, which will be presented to him at Radley, and he has also been presented by Mrs Ward with a gold watch bearing a charming inscription.’

Philip Brudenell Morris was educated at Radley College, where he opened the bowling for the Cricket 1st XI from 1938-39. In 1938, he topped the bowling averages, taking 30 wickets in 182.3 overs at an average of just 17.83. The same followed in 1939, taking 45 wickets in 287 overs at 15.70.

Morris then went up to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps on 31 December 1939. Promoted Lieutenant on 1 July 1941, he served during the Second World War in both North Africa and Italy, and was advanced Captain on 1 July 1946. Remaining in the Army, he was promoted Major on 31 December 1952, and saw further service in Radfan and South Arabia. He retired on 30 December 1968. Morris died at Tunbridge Wells on 10 February 1992

Sold with the original certificate to accompany the R.H.S. Medal; the recipient’s Commission Document, dated 31 December 1939; and M.I.D. Certificate, all held in a card tube addressed to ‘Major P. B. Morris, R.A., D.W.D., G.S.(W), Room 043, War Office, London, S.W.1.’; together with a fine copied portrait photograph and photocopied newspaper cuttings.

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Sold for
£420

Starting price
£220