WW2 1940 Naval B.E.M. and Mentioned In Despatches Long Service Medal Group of Five – C.P.O. W.D.A. Morris, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Elgin

A second world war BEM group to P/J.106975 Chief Petty Officer William Donald Alexander Morris, Royal Navy. 

George VI British Empire Medal named to C.P.O. William D.A. Morris. P/J.106975. 
1939-45 Star unnamed as issued 
Atlantic Star unnamed as issued 
War Medal 1939-45 (with MID oak leaf emblem) unnamed as issued 
George VI Royal Naval Long Service & Good Conduct Medal named to J.106975 W.D.A. Morris. P.O. H.M.S. Elgin. 

London Gazette Entries: 
B.E.M. – 26th July 1940
 ‘The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following Awards for services rendered on the occasion of the loss of H.M.S. Dunoon:— The Medal of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for Meritorious Service. Chief Petty Officer William Donald Alexander Morris, P/J.106975, H.M.S. Elgin’

M.I.D. – 8th June 1944 

Chief Petty Officer William Donald Alexander Morris was from Horley,  Surrey. He joined the Royal Navy when he was 15 years old. He Joined HMS Elgin, a Minesweeper in early 1939 having been promoted to Torpedo Coxswain. The ship formed part of a flotilla, amongst which was HMS Dunoon. 

HMS Dunoon while on Patrol with HMS Elgin struck a mine and sank off smiths Knoll near Great Yarmouth on 30th April 1940. With the loss of three officers and 23 ratings. It was during this incident that Morris rescued wounded men from the water and subsequently was awarded the B.E.M. 

In his own hand written account Morris played down the action and just states he was trying to help. A local newspaper, West Sussex Gazette, wrote the following:

“Chichester Naval Hero.
He was on loan to HMS Dunoon, a minesweeper, which was lost in the North Sea when it struck a mine, which blew up the fore part of the vessel. Although receiving a scalp wound, he took many of the more seriously injured survivors to the side of the companion ship with which the Dunoon was working, being a strong swimmer. On board the second ship he insisted on giving all the medical attention he could to the injured men until the ship reached port.”

He was later Mentioned in Despatches for gallantry and outstanding service in the face of the enemy, “for zeal, patience and cheerfulness in dangerous waters.”. 

The group comes with his original MID certificate, a number of personal letters, quantity of original photographs, a bullion rank badge, copies of numerous newspaper articles and lots of research.