369: Pte Cecil Morris (photograph)

Private Cecil Herbert Morris was the contributor's grandfather. He enlisted in 1914 into the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served for two years, until he was killed by shelling on the 19th November 1916; this was the last day of the Battle of the Somme. He was on his third day on the front line of the trench because the shelling was so heavy and they didn't have enough soldiers to move to safer trenches further behind the lines. He was killed at Le Sars but was buried at a farm. His name is on the Thiepval monument. His grandson saw that Cecil's name was not on the plaque in Cuddesdon church, so he appealed, and a monument was built with Cecil's name on it. His grandson was the guest of honour at the unveiling.