Obituary: Detective Sub-Inspector John Charles Morris (from 1919)

A recent discussion amongst some of our researchers, and others*, concerning railway police officers from Britain serving in Ireland resulted in the uncovering of this obituary to John Morris. A L&NWR detective who served in Dublin at one point in his career. He died from influenza at a time when the world was being ravaged by another global pandemic.

“Detective J.C. Morris
Railwaymen along the North Wales Coast will learn with regret of the death, which occurred on Sunday at Bangor of Detective Sub-Inspector John Charles Morris. He had been ill for some time and had contacted influenza, which about a fortnight ago took a serious turn, and developed into pneumonia. Possessing a robust constitution, he appeared to rally but his condition became serious towards the week-end, and he died a few days a short of his 51st birthday.

Detective Morris, who was a native of Penygroes, entered the service of the London and North-Western Railway Company about twenty years ago. He was first stationed at Holyhead, and after that served as detective at Dublin and Crewe, and was promoted to Bangor ten years ago. All along the line from Afon-wen to Chester he was known and respected, and by his death the Railway Company have lost an official who discharged delicate duties with tact and not a little shrewdness. He presented his cases at the police courts with a thoroughness which carried weight, but he was strictly fair to those he summoned. He leaves a wife and two sons. Corporal O. C. Morris, who has served in Palestine and France, and Mr R. Morris who is a ticket collector at Rhyl.

The funeral took place yesterday at Bangor, was largely attended. The chief mourners were Corporal O. C. Morris, Mr Richard Morris, Pwllheli (brother), Mr and Mrs Powell, Bethesda (brother-in-law and sister); Mrs Thomas, Llanfaircaereinion (sister); Mrs Morris, Machynlleth (sister-in-law); Miss Thomas, Pentraeth (niece); Miss Shosbery, Rhyl (niece); Mrs Jones Penygroes (cousin); Mr Augustus Morris, Conway (nephew), and Mrs Osborne, Bangor (cousin).

There were also present Mr Allan, Assistant Chief of the Police, Euston; Supt Smart, Liverpool; Inspector Weaver, Holyhead; Inspector Williams, Chester; Detective Hughes, Manchester; Inspector Hindsley, Lime-street, with two sergeants and four constables ; and Messrs Thomas and Evans, Holyhead, with Detective Haulan. The L. and N.W. Railway Police of Manchester were also represented by two constables, and Supt Griffith attended on behalf of the Carnarvonshire Constabulary. The Bangor Railway Station staff were represented by Asst. Traffic Inspector Davies, Rolling Stock Inspector Roberts, Inspector Hand, Inspectors H. Williams and J. Williams, with several ticket collectors, brakemen and employees of the Loco. Dept. The coffin was borne to Glanadda Cemetery by colleagues of the deceased. Th Rev. T. Lewis Jones, vicar of St David’s, officiated. A number of beautiful wreaths were received.”

Obituary printed in the North Wales Chronicle, 7 March 1919

 

 

Nine years earlier, John Morris had been presented with an engraved truncheon by colleagues at Crewe, as a leaving present on his promotion.

The inscription read:

Presented to

Mr J.C. Morris

L&NWR Detective Dept.

from his

brother officers & friends

at Crewe

July 1910

 

 

 

 

 

*In addition to members of the BTPHG Research Group, we would like to thank Gareth Huws and Gerwyn James for their assistance.

 

Sources:
Obituary text: North Wales Chronicle, via the National Library of Wales
Truncheon Images: JC Militaria