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Gnr. Daniel Albert Morse
British Army 256 Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery
from:Chedworth, Gloucestershire
Albert Morse was born in 1888 in Chedworth. His parents were Lambert Morse and Clara Juggins. He enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery on the 13th of November 1915.
The son of farmer Lambert and Clara Morse of Pinkwell, Albert enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) in November 1915. The most numerous arm of the artillery, the horse-drawn RFA was responsible for the medium calibre guns and howitzers deployed close to the front line and was reasonably mobile. It was organised in brigades.
We have no detailed record of Albert's service with the RFA, except the certain knowledge from the following newspaper report that he was wounded in a battle at Givenchy on the 18th April 1918. "Mr and Mrs L Morse of Pinkwell received the news that their son, Gunner Albert Morse, was badly gassed and burnt on April 18th in a battle near Givenchy in France. He was in a battery of the RFA 55th Division, and had been on active service for over two years. All his relatives and friends will be glad to hear that he is making good progress in the War Hospital, High Barnet." The battle was known as the Battle of the Lys where the 55th Division defended some 5 miles of the front against an all-out attack by 3 German divisions. During the battle British casualties were heavy, amounting to 163 officers and 2,956 other ranks, killed, wounded and missing. Whilst the rest of the Division was withdrawn for a brief rest, the Field Artillery and Trench Mortar Batteries remained to assist the 1st Division, and earned the gratitude of the Corps Commander, which was most freely expressed as follows:- "From Lieut.-General Sir A. Holland, K.C.B., M.V.O., D.S.O., Commanding 1 Corps 21/4/18. The Corps Commander wishes to place on record his high appreciation of the work done by the Trench Artillery of the 55th Division during the attack on Givenchy on the 18th April. The detachments, by their heroic stand, assisted materially in the retention of the Givenchy position, and have added another page to the glorious history of the Royal Regiments of Artillery."
Albert eventually recovered and he returned to live at the Rookery in 1920 and 1921, subsequently moving away. Albert also served with 256 Brigade, D battery. He was wounded about 19 April 1917 and treated by 2/1st Highland Field Ambulance, 12th Ambulance Train and a Hospital Ship. We have a photograph of him in uniform and have copied his issued small book. He married Effie Ada Winifred May in 1919 in Croydon.
An extract from Chedworth Remembers the Great War
