Derbyshire War Memorials
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Memorial Title

F St V Morris, Maj E B Morris and
Maj L H Morris CBE MC DL
Summary
Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a WW1 war memorial to Francis St V Morris, Maj Ernest B Morris and Maj Lyndon H Morris CBE MC DL comprising an addition to a gravestone in the churchyard of the Church of St Oswald, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
Images
Setting Grave Francis Morris Ernest Morris Lydon Morris Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.
Further images may be available on request.
Locations
Last known location:
Graveyard
Church of St Oswald
Mayfield Rd
Ashbourne
Derbyshire 		Nearest postcode:
DE6 1EJ

NGR:
SK 17576 46394 ±5m
(Map opens in new window.) 		Location details:
The church is on the south side of the road. The gravestone is about 40m southwest of the church, just by the side of the informal path.
Type
Overall type: Addition to gravestone Overall condition: Fair. The inscription is legible.
Description:

An addition to the wording on a family gravestone featuring a crucifix. The cast metal figure is attached to a limestone latin cross which surmounts an oblong pedestal and a three-stepped base and is accompanied by oblong kerbs. The inscriptions are inlaid on the faces of the pedestal and base, and on the upper surface of the kerbs, in upright capital roman lettering.

Glossary 		Components:

ComponentMaterialHeightWidthDepthCondition
FigureMetal850760165Good
CrossLimestone1615850120Good
PedestalLimestone380640445Fair
BaseLimestone370860735Fair
KerbsLimestone1009152160Poor
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.
Inscription
6 o'clock face of pedestal and base:
Conflicts and people named:
ConflictFirst World War (1914-1919)Unspecified military serviceTotals
Action or eventNot statedNot stated
Number died101
Number served and returned022
Total names123
ERNEST EDWIN MORRIS,
PRIEST.
BORN AUGUST 30, 1854,
DIED JULY 7, 1924.
CANON OF SOUTHWELL CATHEDRAL,
VICAR OF ASHBOURNE WITH MAPLETON
FOR 26 YEARS.
DEUS PROVIDEBIT.

AND THEIR YOUNGER DAUGHTER
RUTH ZEPHINE MORRIS.
BORN 29TH. MARCH 1892 - DIED 18TH. APRIL 1969.

JOSEPHINE ANNA MORRIS, HIS WIFE,
BORN JANUARY 5, 1861, DIED OCTOBER 4 1947.
9 o'clock face of pedestal and base:
FRANCIS ST. VINCENT MORRIS,
ROYAL FLYING CORPS,
BORN FEBRUARY 21, 1896,
DIED APRIL 29, 1917.
BURIED AT THE
BRITISH MILITARY CEMETERY
ST. SEVER, ROUEN.

ERNEST BOLTON MORRIS, MAJOR RA (RETIRED)
BORN MARCH 30. 1894
DIED MAY 26 1975.
12 o'clock face of pedestal:
MARY EVELYN MORRIS
REVEREND DEACONESS
BORN 30TH. SEPTEMBER 1887
DIED 31ST. DECEMBER 1978.
9 o'clock face of pedestal and base:
LYNDON HENRY MORRIS,
C.B.E., M.C., D.L.,
MAJOR, K.S.L.I.
CHIEF CONSTABLE OF DEVON.
BORN JANUARY 20, 1889,
DIED NOVEMBER 7, 1946.

NOEL MEESON MORRIS
BORN JANUARY 19. 1891
DIED JUNE 10. 1975.
North kerb:
[GRANT US THY PEACE]
South kerb:
[C... ..T.. ...Y]
East kerb:
THE SINS OF THE WORLD

[Some lettering missing or damaged.]
Administration
Custodian: Presumed to be the Morris family.

Local authorities:
From WW1: Ashbourne Parish Council; Ashbourne Urban District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1974: Ashbourne Town Council; Derbyshire Dales District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
History and Conservation
November 1968: The Ashbourne Conservation area was first designated. The memorial lies within it.

10th August, 2009: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson.

2nd October, 2019: The memorial was resurveyed by Roy Branson and Alan Willmot. Some components were in fair condition although some lettering was missing from the kerbs and a sheen of algae was developing over most of the stonework.
References
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Comments
The memorial is considered to be a war memorial primarily because of the inscription to Francis Morris who was killed in WW1. However, Ernest and Lyndon Morris clearly had military careers too, and the latter is known to have at least served in WW1. They both lived and died in southern England so are unlikely to have been buried here so both are considered valid subjects of this war memorial.

Francis Morris is acknowledged as a war poet.

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Page © Roy Branson