1914-15 Star Medal to an M.M. & Bar Winner, Bar for Vimy Ridge, 42nd Battalion
418753 Pte. L. Morrison. 42/Can: Inf: - Lewis Morrison was born on 23rd Feb. 1892 at Southampton, Bruce County, Ontario and was a Storekeeper by occupation when he attested. He rose rapidly through the ranks and won the Military Medal on the Somme, L.G. 9-12-16 #29854 and again won the Bar to the Military Medal on 9th April 1917 at Vimy Ridge. (L.G. 9-7-17). “On 9th April 1917 during the attack on VIMY RIDGE. This N.C.O. when the Company Sergeant Major was killed in the early morning of the attack promptly took hold and carried out the work. He set a splendid example to the men by his coolness and courage both in the advance and during the consolidation, which was made under severe fire. This N.C.O. He has been 18 months with the Battalion in France, was in the action of 2nd June 1916 in YPRES SALIENT and holds the Military Medal for work on the SOMME”. Lewis enlisted for service in the First World War on May 1, 1915, with the 42nd Battalion. He served until discharged due to mobilization in January 1919.
Additional details of his military service include:
-May 1, 1915, he enlisted in Montreal P. Q. in the 42nd Battalion as a Private.
-December 25, 1915, he was promoted to Lance Corporal in France.
-October 9,1916 he was awarded the Military Medal for his actions at the Battle of Courcellette on September 15/16, 1916.
-October 15, 1916, he was promoted to Corporal.
-October 15, 1916, he was promoted to Lance Sergeant.
-November 1, 1916, he was promoted to Sergeant.
-On July 9, 1917, it was reported in the London Gazette that he had been awarded a Bar to be added to his Military Medal for the significant role he played on April 9, 1917, in the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
-September 17, 1917, he was confirmed as Company Sergeant Major.
-October 3, 1917, to be Warrant Officer Class.
-January 26, 1918, Appointed to Commission Rank of Lieutenant in the 1st Quebec Regiment.
-April 10, 1918, he was hospitalized with influenza, was sent to England, and was diagnosed with Pharyngitis which affects the throat and larynx and lasts many weeks.
-He remained hospitalized in England with eventual duties at the Bramshott CEF Base Camp until after the war ended.
-His mother had left Southampton after he enlisted and had moved to Sault Ste. Marie. He joined her in Sault Ste. Marie on his return from war.
He died on October 22, 1962, in the Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.
