Five: Sergeant H. C. Morris, Military Mounted Police, late Trumpeter, 8th Hussars and Musician, 1st Life Guards

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal (3312 Tptr., 8/H[rs.]); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3312 Pte., 8th Hussars), these two with single initial ‘H.’; 1914-15 Star (P. 816 Cpl., M.M.P.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (P-816 Sjt., M.M.P.), the first two with contact marks, edge bruising - with resultant loss of some naming details - and polished, thus fine, the remainder generally very fine (5) £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to Trumpeters from the Collection of Roderick Cassidy.

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Harry Charles Morris was born in Norwich and originally enlisted in the 8th Hussars in November 1890, aged 14 years. Appointed a Trumpeter in May 1892, he witnessed active service in South Africa from February to July 1900, and again from March 1901 to the end of hostilities, when he reverted to Bandsman.

Between 1895 and the end of this tour of active duty in South Africa, Morris managed to accumulate an impressive tally of entries in the Regimental Defaulter Book, his misdemeanours including: making an improper reply (twice), not complying with an order (twice), using threatening language to an N.C.O. (twice), creating a disturbance in camp, having lights on in camp after lights out sounding, absence from watch (twice), breaking out of barracks when a defaulter (twice), absence from morning roll call, improper dress, drunkenness and striking a garrison policeman, resisting and breaking away from his escort, and absenting himself from the band while stationed at Waterford. Accordingly, the 8th Hussars were no doubt very happy to see him transfer to the 1st Life Guards as a Musician in June 1903, from which latter regiment he was discharged in February 1912 - having briefly held Lance-Corporal’s stripes until being demoted on being found guilty of ‘gambling with the musicians’.

Remarkably, given his previous character, or perhaps as a result of the experience gained by it, he found himself appointed to the Military Mounted Police in January 1915, and, by the War’s end, had risen to Sergeant and been mentioned in despatches for his services in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force for the period 16 March to 18 Septermber 1918 (London Gazette 22 January 1919 refers). Morris was demobilised in December 1919.