Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Charasia, Kabul (Surgn. John James La Vettée Morris. A.M.Dept.) double ‘e’ officially corrected, very fine £200-£300

John James La Vettée de la Dubeterre Morris was born ‘John James Morris’ at Clonkeen, County Kildare, in December 1853. He was a Doctor of Medicine of the Queen’s Unviersity of Ireland from 1873, and a Master of Surgery of the same institution from the following year. He was appointed a Surgeon with the Army Medical Department in February 1877, and served with them during the Second Afghan War of 1878-80.

Morris served with the Kuram Valley Field Force and subsequently with the Kabul Field Force. He was present at the action of Charasiab, the occupation of Kabul, and the operations round Kabul and defence of Sherpur in December 1879. Morris accompanied General Baker’s Brigade into Kohistan in January 1880, in charge of the Field Hospital. He was in medical charge of the 92nd Highlanders at the second action of Charasiab (Twice Mentioned in Despatches).

Morris advanced to Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1897, and to Colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corps in November 1903. He assumed the name listed above by Deed Poll, 25 November 1885.