16 Facts About Basil Morris

Basil Morris served in both the First and Second World Wars.

Basil Morris was born on 19 December 1888 at East Melbourne, Victoria, to William Edward Morris and Clara Elizabeth, nee French.

Basil Morris joined the Melbourne Cavalry and was later commissioned into the Royal Australian Artillery on 1 December 1910.

Basil Morris was promoted to lieutenant in May 1915 and was posted to 'O' Siege Brigade.

Basil Morris served on the Western Front from February 1916, firstly with the 55th Battery of the 36th Heavy Artillery Group and then from November 1917 with the headquarters of the 5th Divisional Artillery.

Basil Morris participated in the Hundred Days Offensive and for his leadership of his battery during this period he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

Basil Morris was discharged from the AIF after the war and returned to Australia in 1919.

Basil Morris chose to remain a professional soldier and transferred to the Staff Corps.

Basil Morris held a number of staff positions for the next several years.

In June 1942, Basil Morris was queried by General Douglas MacArthur on his plans for defending Kokoda, recognised for its value as an airstrip for the advancing Japanese.

Basil Morris was not known for his tactical nous and indeed this was partly why he had been made commander of the 8th Military District, a military backwater, in the first place.

Basil Morris then took over responsibility for the New Guinea Lines of Communication Area and ANGAU for the rest of the war.

Basil Morris retired from the army on 19 October 1946 and the following year, in recognition of his services in the Southwest Pacific during the war, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Basil Morris stood for the Victorian seat of Gippsland West in the 1947 and 1950 state elections for the Liberal Party, but was unsuccessful both times.

Basil Morris died on 5 April 1975 at Upper Beaconsfield and was cremated.

Basil Morris was survived by his wife, Audrey Lewis Cogan whom he married in 1921, and the couple's five daughters.