Ex-Bombardier Sidney Morris, 80999, Royal Field Artillery, was presented with his Military Medal by Mayor Henry Impey at a meeting of Luton Town Council on March 18th, 1919.

Bdr Morris (pictured), of 30 New Town Street, Luton, had been awarded the medal for gallantry in the field in April 1918. The Mayor read a letter written by Bdr Morris describing how he had won the medal.

The letter said: “I was with the Battery in action at Ploegsteert, commonly known by the troops as 'Plug Street'. Early on the morning of April 10th, the enemy put up a heavy and effective bombardment. Our wires had all gone when the shelling had been on ten minutes. I and two of my men worked on the wires for three hours, until the enemy were seen advancing.

“Several of our men were captured, but I was a sprinter – at least I was at that time, and a good one too. Our guns were blown up, and we were ordered to get away, as most of the infantry on our front were captured and it was impossible to hold the line.

“We next came into action on Neuve Eglise Hill. The enemy started to push us off there before we had fired a round or said a word. I was sent down to the horse lines to get the gun teams up to pull the guns out of action. How I arrived with them safely I could not say, but the guns were pulled out a short time before the enemy reached the position.

“Then we came into action at Dranoutre – another place I can't forget. The enemy had shelled the town to dust in a few hours. I had taken up mounted orderly, and had to ride continually through this town, so you can imagine things were plenty lively enough. Once while going through this town a 5.9 shell pierced the tower of the church and sent half the building down. Luckily none of it touched me, but a fair-sized brick caught my horse on the head, and he stopped – never to go again, as I thought. Anyway, I couldn't get him along anyhow and I just felt like signing 'When You're a Long, Long Way From Home'. But eventually the steed got over his shell shock and away we went as usual.

We had not been in action again long in the position before I was sent for the horses. It took a long time to get them to the position, as it was impossible for a column of horses and waggons to go through the terrific bombardment in progress, and I had to choose a new way round which was a great deal further but safer.

“This duty lasted 23 days, and then we turned round and made it our turn to chase Fritz.”

Bdr Morris was one of three Luton men to received his Military Medal within a few days. The others were Cpl H. Tysom, who had been serving with the 20th Battalion London Regiment; and Spr J. W. Trussell, 46th Signal Company.

[The Luton News: Thursday, March 20th, 1919]