Catalogue description MORTON George Ernest Capt

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Surname: MORTON;

Forename(s): George Ernest;

Initials: GE;

Rank: Capt;

Born in: Liverpool;

Enlistment Date: 22-Feb-1909;

Resided in: Liverpool;

Previous Number: 1783;

Previous Battalion: 10 of;

Previous Regiment: Liverpool Regt;

Date of transfer to MGC: 26-Feb-1916;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 165 Coy;

Awarded: MC;

Gallantry Notes: For conspicuous gallantry during operation. When supporting a bombing party which was covering the advancing infantry he went forward to a machine gun when the advance was hung up, and worked it himself until he was wounded. This plucky action saved the infantry many casualties.;

Other Data: discharged to Commission 24/4/1915 (9 KLR) - seconded to MGC 26/2/1916

George Ernest Morton was born on 26/3/89. Son of GH Morton of 14 Grove Park, Liverpool. Originally enlisted in Liverpool 22/2/09 as No 1783 in 10 KLR. Attended yearly training camp between 1909 and 1913. Embodied 5/8/14. His commission application is dated 24/9/14. Occupation decorator and furnisher. Discharged to commission 24/4/15 in 9 KLR. Seconded for duty with 165 Bde MGC 26/2/16. Wounded in action (bullet wound l shoulder and contusion ribs) at Guillemont 13/8/16 and admitted to 14 Corps Main Dressing Station. Admitted 5 Casualty Clearing Station 13/8/16. Admitted 8 General Hospital 14/8/16. To UK (Le Havre - Southampton) 15/8/16 on the HS Asturias. Treated at 2nd Western General Hospital, Manchester - his shoulder wounds had healed by 23/8/16 - granted leave until 26/10/16. His nose was operated on in Sep 1916 - not wound related. Granted Military Cross 25/9/16. Taken on strength of Machine Gun Training Centre 27/10/16. Deemed fit for general service 4/12/16. To Iraq (Devonport - Basra) 11/9/17 arriving 20/11/17. Joined MGC at Amara from 1 BBD 30/11/17. Admitted 2 B General Hospital (Amara) 6/12/17 - 15/12/17 (undiagnosed). Transferred to Depot Staff MGC (Amara) 28/12/17 and assumed duties of officiating Adjutant vice AE Lawrence MC who was relieved. Also listed as MGC. Relinquished duties of Officiating Adjutant at Amara on Captain WH Dawson joining 13/1/18. To be acting Captain 12-13/1/18. Joined 276 MG Company 21/6/18. Admitted 366 Field Ambulance (fever/influenza) 22/8/18. Discharged to duty at Baghdad 13/9/18 and rejoined 276 Company 14/9/18. Posted to 17 Div MGC 'D' Company 10/1/19 at Kassadah. Assumed command of 'D" Company 10-23/2/19 vice A/Maj Baker who was admitted to hospital. Assumed command on 'B' Company 24/2/19. To be A/Capt whilst 2nd in Command of an MG Company 5/10/18 to 7/3/19. To be a/Maj whilst commanding an MG Company 8/3/19. Transferred to A Company 17/3/19. Assumedduties of 2nd in Command of Battalion at Karradah 13/6/19 and transferred to HQ. Assumed command of a Battalion 26/8/19 - 2/9/19. Embarked Basrah 17/9/19 on HMT Elephante en route to UK via the Suez and struck off strength of Mesopotamia Exped Force. Also listed as 9 KLR attd 17 Indian MG Battalion. (Officers Papers - PRO)

MC CitationFor conspicuous gallantry during operations. When supporting a bombing party which was covering the advancing infantry he went forward to a machine gun when the advance was hung up, and worked it himself till he was wounded. This plucky action saved the infantry many casualties. (Gazetted 20/10/16)

Son of Mr GH Morton of 14 Grove Park. Received MC at Buckingham Palace in December 1916. Photo (Liverpool Courier 18/12/16 - Worthies2 p240);

Other Notes: MC LG: 20/10/1916 ( Liverpool Regt - attd 165 Coy MGC);

END OF RECORD.