"Lest We Forget" Francis Richard Morrow - an almost relative

Francis Richard Morrow (Frank)

Our grandmother, GERTIE NAYSMITH (born HARRIS), as a young woman, had an autograph book filled with names and autograph verses which were popular at the beginning of the twentieth century.  My mother said that GERTIE (my father's mother) used to say that she had no interest in settling down and getting married when she was a young woman, as she was having far too much fun being single - going to dances, playing tennis and all the other activities of the day.  She obviously had suitors, as indicated by the number of young men's autographs in her book. But in 1914, On the other side of the world, the outbreak of the Great War put her carefree and heady youthful days suddenly behind her and cast a life-long shadow ahead of her. 

A while ago, I  started to research the names of some of the  many lads who'd written in this book over a hundred years ago.  It was achingly sad as, one after the other, I found that many of them had died in World War 1. 

Francis Richard Morrow (Frank) wrote this in Gertie Harris's autograph book on the 29th of January, 1913. The location is unknown. 

Some time after our grandmother died in 1974, I found a memorial card for FRANCIS RICHARD MORROW  amongst her personal items.  



The name MORROW was familiar - and  I remembered an elderly spinster "MISS MORROW (ANNIE)"  visiting our grandmother sometime in the 1960s when I was a child. They must have been family friends from "up North" days, as the MORROWs lived in Tapuhi (variously described as being part of Towai, Hukereunui, Ruapekapeka and Bay of Islands), and the HARRISES lived in Maromaku from the mid 1890s to 1902. 

 I vaguely remember an air of restrained sadness about, and towards, Miss  Morrow. Her sweetheart may have been killed in the war - although that was the same story for many of my grandmother's contemporaries.   I remember that MISS MORROW was being forced out of her home in Newmarket to make way for the new viaduct which was being built in the mid-1960s.  So  ANNIE  must have been the sister of  FRANCIS ROBERT MORROW in the memorial card.  

Annie Morrow's autograph - four weeks after her brother Frank's was written in Gertie's autograph book. 

I have been intrigued by the  handsome young FRANCIS RICHARD MORROW ever since and have long wondered if, had it not been for  the randomness of flying bullets, he could well have been my grandfather - and ANNIE would, therefore, have been my grandmother's sister-in-law.  

Over the years, I've researched FRANCIS RICHARD as information became increasingly available through the internet. Now, on the 100th anniversary his death,  it seems the right time to tidy up and publish all my findings. I have decided to remember him in the context of his life  and times and his family - such information as I can find.   Unless otherwise linked to the direct evidence,  much of my information comes from other families'  unreferenced information on Ancestry.com or My Heritage and the online war records available through the NZ archives. 

FRANCIS RICHARD MORROW (known as FRANK) was the sixth  of eight children to ROBERT and ANN (ANNIE - born SPRATT) MORROW. 

ROBERT and ANNIE were both born in Northern Ireland. ROBERT was born about 1848 in County Fermanagh, and ANN was born in 1858 in Lettermoney, also in County Fermanagh. ROBERT came to New Zealand sometime in about 1862, landing in Wellington.  He then  lived for some time in Wanganui and Thames.  ANNIE possibly arrived in Auckland with (sister / mother?) Ellen, and possibly a brother James in 1875 on the ship Forfarshire.  (Based on the only information I could find in shipping lists - I would appreciate any confirmation or dismissal of this.) It's quite possible ROBERT and ANNIE knew each other in Ireland, although they do not appear to have arrived in New Zealand at the same time.  

ROBERT  MORROW and ANNIE SPRATT  married in New Zealand in 1877 (NZBDM ref.1877/128) - location unknown. 

In 1879, ROBERT, ANNIE, toddler SUSAN (born 1878)  and baby ROBERT JUNIOR (born 1879) moved to their farm at Tapuhi, near Hukerenui in Northland. Singlehandedly, ROBERT had cut a track through the bush to reach his land. 

They had six more children in rapid succession: 

WILLIAM JAMES born 1880 
JOSPEH HENRY born 1882  
GEORGE EDWARD born 9th May, 1884
FRANCIS RICHARD (FRANK) born 30th July, 1886 
ANNE JANE (ANNIE) born 1888 
ELIZABETH MARY born 1892 

Life seems to have been fairly standard for this pioneer family.  The children were educated at Ruapekapeka and the boys were, not unexpectedly, occupied clearing bush and farming. The girls were involved in domestic duties and related skills. Whether or not farming provided enough means to support his family, ROBERT senior wrote to the Bay of Islands County Council in 1886 offering himself as a fit person to take charge of the forests in the district. The outcome is unknown. ANNIE  Senior would have been totally absorbed by child-bearing  and domestic duties.  

The family must have been tee-total, as in 1892, the children were members of the Ruapekapeka Band of Hope - a temperance organisation providing regular meetings where wholesome activities were arranged, and members could "take the pledge" to never take alcohol. 

But life changed changed suddenly and tragically for the family on February 2, 1892, when ANNIE died giving birth to ELIZABETH MARY.   Eight children aged 1 day to 14 years were left motherless. 

ANNIE's obituary on 20th February, 1892, is an interesting mix of fact, opinion and political opportunism. She was remembered as "the wife of [an] old and much-respected pioneer" and her funeral was one of the most numerously attended in the district for years. The article stated that thirteen-year-old ROBERT JUNIOR cut a further track through the bush so that his mother's dead body could be taken to a point where it could be met by a conveyance to reach the cemetery.  The writer of the obituary took the opportunity to decry the state of roading in the area and pointedly noted that the appalling state of the roads may have something to do with the absence of local Council members living within the vicinity.  We do not learn much about ANNIE from her obituary, but we do learn about her husband, her son and the local male Councillors.  ANNIE is buried in Kawa Kawa cemetery. 

 Oldest daughter SUSAN, at age 14, helped look after the family and her father after ANNIE's death. Whether there was any other help to raise the new-born baby is unknown.  There do not appear to have been any other relatives in the area; however, MORROW descendants may have more information on this. 

The following year, in March, 1893,  oldest son and second-born child, ROBERT JUNIOR MORROW,  died, aged 13.  Short of ordering the death certificate, I can find no other information on the cause of his death or any death notice for him in online newspaper archives. This would have been another unimaginable blow for the family. 

In 1908,  now the oldest son, WILLIAM  JAMES MORROW (aged 28)  married Ellen Jane Cecily  (CICELY) Nelsen. (NZBDM Ref. 1908/7977 ), daughter of Tapuhi  settlers Joseph and Eliza  Nelson, originally from Ireland. WILLIAM and CICELY farmed at Tapuhi. They had three children: Eric William, born 1910, Annie Eileen, born 1912, and Vera, born 1915. 

FRANK was a bushman and a farmer who had lived all his life in Tapuhi.  He was a member of the Towai Show Society, and  participated in local social  and sporting events. He was athletic (with an 8 yard handicap in hurdles competition, December 1914) and won prizes in  wood-chopping competitions.  He was a respected member of the community and was described as remarkably strong, healthy,  and cool headed. 

1911 Electoral Roll - Northland Bay of Islands - Bay of Island

In 1911, according to the electoral roll,  father ROBERT MORROW was classified as a settler, daughter SUSAN (aged 33) as a spinster - regardless of any of her house-keeping duties, brother WILLIAM JAMES (aged 31) as a married settler and his wife ELLEN JANE CICELY MORROW as married. Brother GEORGE (aged 27), living in Ruapekapeka,  was classified as a climber - maybe in reference to being involved with tree felling, as brothers JOSEPH HENRY (aged 29) and FRANCIS RICHARD (FRANK) (aged 25) were both classified as bushmen.  Sister ANNIE JANE (aged 23) is also described as a spinster. ELIZABETH MARY (aged 19) is obviously too young to be on the electoral roll. 

1914 started out as an eventful year for the MORROW family, and there are several newspaper and other records of their activities. In February, FRANK and ANNIE won prizes at the Hikurangi-Otonga Show - FRANK with his dairy cow, and ANNIE for her currant cake, seed cake, madeira cake, iced birthday cake, shortbread, jellies, peach jam, chutney and bottled plums! 

 According to the 1914  electoral roll, ANNIE (26)  and SUSAN (36) are classified as spinsters  - regardless of their full-time housekeeping duties for family members, FRANK (27) was a farmer, GEORGE(30) was still a climber, WILLIAM (34)  and father ROBERT were still described as settlers, and JOSEPH had obviously moved elsewhere - or not enrolled. 

Youngest sister, ELIZABETH MARY MORROW (age 22) married on September 2nd, 1914, to CHARLES HENRY SHERMAN from Mangonui (NZBDM 1914/1519) Note that Elizabeth's name is recorded as Morron - no doubt a transcript error.  They moved to Tauranga - Te Puke area and had a family of one daughter and two sons. 

1914 Electoral Roll - Northland, Bay of Islands

As early as mid-September 1914, within days of war being declared, The Hukerenui District did its patriotic fundraising duty and raised 45 pounds at a social event, which included an auction of donated goods.  Secretary of the Tapuhi War Fund, FRANK MORROW paid the highest price of the night for an individual item, and went home with a  rooster which cost him 2 pounds. 


Little did anyone know how many of those present would not live to see the end of the war.

Good luck prevented another family tragedy in April 1915, when ANNIE and SUSAN and another female travelling companion were thrown out of their trap when their horse fell, breaking the gig shaft.  ANNIE received knocks and bruises, and the other two women were unharmed. 

But grief was not far away, with father, ROBERT MORROW,  dying at Tapuhi after a short illness, on June 1, 1915.    His death notice was published in the Northern Advocate on 28th June.  

WILLIAM took over the "home farm" after father ROBERT's death. SUSAN had been her father's housekeeper, and she moved to stay with FRANK to house keep for him after ROBERT died. ANNIE also remained in Tapuhi, possibly remaining  at the home farm, or living with one of her other brothers. 

Three of the four MORROW brothers enlisted at varying times after their father ROBERT's death.  WILLIAM, who was already married with a young family and aged 34 at the outbreak of war,did not enlist and remained farming. It  would have been an essential industry, no doubt.  

GEORGE EDWARD MORROW  was the first brother to enlist, and he signed his attestation at Featherston in October 1915. He joined the 9th reinforcements  as a private in the Auckland Infantry Regiment. He gave his occupation as a self-employed bushman with the last address at Tapu, Thames, and gives his brother WILLIAM at Tapuhi as his next of kin.  His serial number was 12/3740. 

FRANK enlisted in 1916,  and by August, aged 30, he was in Featherston,  where he signed his attestation. He joined the 20th  Reinforcements  (J Company) and  was listed as a private, but was changed to a rifleman in the 1st Battalion, 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade. His serial number was 31134. 

JOSEPH HENRY signed his attestation in Whangarei in March 1917. He must have been keen to enlist,  as he had previously failed a medical examination in 1916 because of varicose veins,  which he had operated on before being accepted for enlistment the following year.  His occupation was self-employed farmer, from Tapuhi.  His serial number was 56628. He gives his date of birth as 22 August 1883 - a year later than his birth is registered in NZ Births, Deaths and Marriages. His age on enlistment is given as 33 years 7 months. His next-of-kin is listed as sister ANNIE MORROW of Tapuhi. JOSEPH HENRY was of fair complexion with brown hair and light brown eyes and stood 5'9 ¼"  (1.75m) tall.  In his attestation, he indicates he has two adults partially dependant on him - perhaps his two unmarried sisters? 

From his enlistment records, FRANK gave his occupation as a self-employed farmer of Tapuhi, with his religion as C of E. FRANK also gives his brother WILLIAM (farmer of Tapuhi) as his next-of-kin.  His medical records give details of an absolute clean bill of health and give details of his weight (162 lbs. 74kg) and his height (5' 10¾"). He was described as having a medium complexion with brown hair and blue eyes. Instead of completing a soldier's will, he indicated he already has one lodged with Reid and Millar, solicitors at Kawa Kawa, Bay of Islands. For a man who seemed to keep robust health and strength before he enlisted, FRANK did not seem to maintain the same constitution once he joined the army. On September 18th, he was admitted to Wairarapa Hospital (from Trentham Camp) with influenza, and remained there until 25th September when he was discharged to further sick leave until October 8th. 

FRANK has one discipline issue recorded in his army files while at Featherston: in November 1916, he overstayed leave by 1 day and lost a day's pay in consequence.   On 2nd of January, 1917, FRANK embarked on the Opawa (HMNZTS No.73) for foreign service. There were two stopovers in South Africa (Simons Town and Cape Town) and he disembarked in Devonport, Plymouth, England on 27th March, 1917. They marched into Sling - the main training camp for NZ servicemen - on the Salisbury Plain. In April he was posted to the 15th Company in Codford, but on 22nd May,  FRANK was admitted to the 3rd NZ General Hospital at Codford with mumps. He was discharged on the 12th of June, and  eventually returned to Sling Camp. On 23rd July, 1917, FRANK embarked for France, marching onto Etaples training camp on 27th July.  By the 24th August, FRANK was "in the field", posted to the 15th Company, 3rd Battalion, Auckland Regiment. 

On 13th February, 1918, FRANk was granted leave to Paris, and was posted to the 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade on his return.  On the 10th April, he was posted to B Company, and on the 6th of May he was detached to the 3rd Field Company, NZE (NZ Engineers), still in the field. 

On 15th May, Frank was hospitalised "sick" but rejoined his battalion the following day.  On 1st September, FRANK returned to England on leave, and rejoined his unit on 23rd September, 1918. 

Meanwhile,  life carried on as best it could at home, with patriotic fundraising events  for the war effort, and other modified social events to help keep the home fires burning. At the Towai Show in January, 1916, ANNIE continued to demonstrate her domestic skills  in winning prizes for her seed cake, iced birthday cake, and sample darning. Interestingly a full list of prizes could not be published as the regular reporter had enlisted and a successful replacement strategy had not eventuated.  

And as November 1918  and the prospect of peace loomed tantalisingly closer, the deadly influenza started its snowballing  journey across the world - reaching the remotest parts of New Zealand. 

Back in France, with the end of the war only seven days way, FRANK was involved in the final - and ultimately most successful - NZ engagement of the war,  at the old fortress town of Le Quesnoy, which had been in German hands since 1914.  Several thousand German troops were still inside it, but heavy artillery would cause civilian casualties.   

From FRANK's records, I'm fairly sure he was in the 1st Battalion, 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade, B Company at this time.  In short, three battalions were to advance and capture the railway line parallel to their front. The 4th Battalion would be facing the width of the town, the 2nd Battalion were on the left and the 1st Battalion were to the right.  Combined, they would half encircle the town. The 3rd Battalion  would advance to the east and eventually join with the rest of the brigade to "mop up" the enveloped town of Le Quesnoy. 

On the 4th of November,starting at 5:30am, the New Zealand Division advanced 10 kilometres and captured 2000 Germans and 60 field guns. About 140 New Zealand soldiers died on this day - virtually the last of the 12,483 New Zealanders who fell on the Western Front between 1916 and 1918. Of these 140, about 80 were men of the 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade who led the assault on Le Quesnoy.
FRANCIS RICHARD MORROW was one of these 80 men.

Frank was buried at the Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension. It's about 10.7 km from Le Quesnoy, and there are many other casualties from that day alongside him. Some had been buried in the field and were re-interred at Romeries after the armistice.

It's  about 10.7 km (about a two-hour walk)  from Le Quesnoy to Romeries, and about 14 minutes by car. Some of the dead were moved after the armistice from graves in the field.  There are 106 NZ casualties buried here, several of them sharing FRANK's day of death. 

In July 2005,  husband Mark, children Laura and Julian, and I visited Le Quesnoy and then Frank's grave at Romeries, nearby.

 I'm pretty sure I'm the first person to seek out his grave, and took  a NZ poppy and a photocopy of his memorial card to place at his headstone. It certainly felt special to be able to do this  on behalf of all those who never could have contemplated the journey. 

Frank's eternal neighbour - WH BUCK who died the same day. 

Rifleman H Crawford, another of Frank's neighbours in eternity. 

D'Arcy Street, another of Frank's Romeries neighbours. 

Frank's view of France. 

I had no idea when I planted these poppies that they would wait until
4th of November for the first one to bloom.
How's that for spooky timing! One hundred years in the planning to get that moment right.
My personal poppy for Francis Richard Morrow. 

And that was it - FRANK was gone! 

I have more to post about what happened next - because FRANK wasn't the only one who didn't have a "next". 

"Lest We Forget"