Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Driver L. Morris, Royal Army Service Corps

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Arabian Peninsula (T/23706296 Dvr. L. Morris. R.A.S.C.); General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, South Arabia, Northern Ireland, unofficial retaining rod between clasps (23706296 Dvr. L. Morris. RASC.) mounted as worn, good very fine (2) £120-160

L. Morris attested for the Royal Army Service Corps in the late 1950s, and served with 90 Squadron in Sharjah, South Arabia, in 1968. The following year a Lance-Corporal by the name of Morris in the R.A.S.C. (who may be the same man) received a General Officer Commanding’s Commendation for attempting to save life from fire:
‘At about 1130 hours on 15th April 1969, Sergeant Ferry and Lance-Corporal Morris were being driven through the village of Airth, near Falkirk in Scotland when they observed a house on fire with several women standing outside. Sergeant Ferry ordered the vehicle to stop and was informed that there were two children inside, aged six months and eighteen months. The intense smoke and flames prevented the two N.C.O’s from seeing into the house but they managed to enter the hallway for long enough to find out where the children actually were. A garden hose was produced but it was too short to be effective in extinguishing the flames.
Lance-Corporal Morris tried to enter the room but was driven back by the smoke and heat. After two attempts, Sergeant Ferry managed to force his way in and while Morris sprayed the hose over him Ferry was able to move a charred piece of furniture out of the way and drag a pram out of the room.
Sergeant Ferry then attempted to rescue the second child but at that point the Fire Brigade arrived and firemen wearing breathing apparatus succeeded in recovering the baby. Both N.C.O’s displayed courage in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army.’ (The Waggoner refers).

Both men were subsequently presented with a Certificate by the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire.