Edward Sydney Morey

MOREY, Edward Sydney- – – – SPC 1902-1905

DoB:- – 1892, Ballarat

Father:- – James Henry Morey

Mother:- – Sarah Janet Cottingham, nee Blunt

Edward Morey was a boarder at St Patrick’s, along with his brother, James Dodds Morey (SPC 1902-1905) who also enlisted in the AIF.

Service No:- 12346

Rank:- – Private, later Lance Corporal

Unit:- – 10th Field Ambulance

Edward Morey enlisted on 24 February 1916 at the age of 23 years and seven months. He was five feet, seven inches tall, with a sallow complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He was unmarried and worked as a clerk.

After enlistment, Private Morey was transferred to signal school at Broadmeadows on 23 March 1916. The following month, on 19 April he was attached to the 10th Field Ambulance. He left Melbourne aboard the Runic for service overseas on 20 June 1916, disembarking at Southampton, London some weeks later.

On 24 November 1916, he proceeded from England to France. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in France on 27 April 1917. In September of that year, Morey was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the Field:

– -‘-¦ On 31st July 1917, near MEDINES, on the South Eastern slope of the Ridge, this NCO was in charge of a squad of twelve men loading cases on the trucks in the open. The whole area was under shell fire continuously and the work was of a most trying character. The leader of the party showed great determination and stuck to his job and kept his party together in an excellent manner. He was blown over by a shell at 11am and again two hours later, but continued to carry out his duties till the party was relieved at dusk. He showed throughout personal courage, devotion to duty and a sturdy determination coupled with capacity for leadership and a cheerful alacrity which animated all under him.’

In mid-1919, Lance Corporal Morey returned to Australia aboard the Konigan Luise. He was discharged from the AIF on 27 September 1919.

Edward settled in the Melbourne suburb of Middle Park, and married Flora Evelyn sometime between 1920 and 1924. By 1924 they were married and living at 61 Nimmo Street, Middle Park with Edward working as a clerk. By 1931 the couple had moved to 1 Arthur Avenue, Brighton and they remained there until at least 1977. The College could not find a death date for Edward Sydney, or his cemetery record.