David John Morgans

Submitted by MOConnor on Fri, 03/01/2014 - 13:31

First Name:

David

Middle Name:

John

Last Name:

Morgans

Date Enlisted:

Thursday, April 6, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Lance Corporal

Unit:

13th Battalion

Company:

20th Reinforcements

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Details:

David John Morgans (Service No 6282) was born in Glamorganshire, Wales. He moved to Australia and lived on Main Rd, Bulli with his wife, Edith Emma Morgans.

David enlisted in April 1916 at the age of 25 years and 1 month; he was a miner prior to the war. Records show he enlisted in Kiama.

He embarked from Sydney on 9 September 1916 on HMAT Euripides, A14. He was a private in the 13th infantry Battalion, 19-23 Reinforcements (August-November 1916). He was appointed Lance Corporal on 1 January, 1918.

While on service, David received a cablegram in February 1917 regarding the birth of his daughter.

David disembarked on 12 June, 1919 returning to Australia. On his return, he was issued with the British War and Victory medals.

David’s family have kept and preserved photos, letters and postcards which he sent from the front. As well as his diary from the front which is still intact in its original leather case.

Records of David John Morgans not only remain with the National Archives and Australian War Memorial but also with the ‘Bulli Black Diamond Heritage Museum’ and the ‘Illawarra Historical Society.’

Sources:

Australian War Memorial, Embarkation Rolls – David John Morgans, Australian War Memorial Canberra, 2014, http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1900572/, viewed 2 October 2013.

NAA: B2455, MORGANS DAVID JOHN