The Efficiency Medal awarded to Sapper G. A. Morris, Royal Engineers, wounded during the Manchester Christmas Blitz, 22-23 December 1940

Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (2094265 Spr. G. A. Morris. R.E.) good very fine £200-300

Gilbert Arthur Morris served during the Second World War with No. 112 Workshop and Park Company, Royal Engineers. The unit were based in Manchester and on the night of 22-23 December 1940 he was wounded (concussion) during the heaviest part of the horrific bombardment of the Manchester Christmas Blitz, in which nearly 700 people were killed and well over 2000 injured. The 112nd Workshop War Diary describes how enemy aircraft started attacks from 6:00 p.m. creating a large fire near Warwick Road Station, Old Trafford, which carried on until 2:00 a.m. By 4:00 a.m. a further onslaught occurred which damaged the guard and control room; this sadly killed the Sentry, seriously injured the Guard, and wounded seven others, included the commanding officer Major Bickford and Sapper Morris. The Nazi’s propaganda claimed the City of Manchester had been completely burned to the ground.

He is confirmed on the WW2 AJEX (The Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women) roll.