Lance Corporal William Morris
William was born in Kingstown, Dublin, Ireland. He lived in Paris when the First World War began and worked as a farmhand. He was single and 18 years of age when he enlisted with the 125th battalion in Paris.
He was a member of the 9th Platoon that embarked aboard the S.S Scandinavia on February 12, 1916. The 9th and 10th Platoons were the first contingent of soldiers from Paris, nearly 100 men, to go overseas. When they reached England, William was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps.
From October 9 to 15, 1918, the 2nd Battalion of the Canadian Machine Gun Corps (CMGC), as part of the 2nd Canadian Division, was involved in the Battle of Cambrai and the subsequent pursuit of the retreating German army toward the Canal de la Sensée. Their job was to secure crossing points over the Canal de l'Escaut (Scheldt Canal) on the city's northern side, while the 3rd Division entered the city itself. The Germans were in the process of a phased retreat, and the Canadians found much of the city deserted, though German rearguards and machine-gun nests remained a threat. Canadian engineers, often under heavy fire, secured crucial bridges, enabling the infantry and artillery to cross the canal effectively.
According to the London Gazette, Lance Corporal Morris oversaw the repairing of lines between Battery H.Q. and the forward guns. He did so continuously, under heavy fire, and maintained communication throughout the operation. For his gallantry, he was awarded the Military Medal.