Bridge of Weir
Memorial

CPL CHAS MORGAN 8^TH A.&.S.H.

S/20863 Corporal Charles Young Morgan

1st/8th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
missing presumed dead 21st March 1918
aged 24
Vadencourt British Cemetery, Maissemy
Glasgow Royal Technical College Roll of Honour

Son of Daniel Morgan and Mary Gallacher, Co-operative Terrace, Bridge of Weir
Husband of Robina (Ruby) Boyle and father of Agnes Mary

His Life

Charles Young Morgan was born on 19th March 1894 in Ranfurly, Bridge of Weir, one of a family of ten (five surviving by 1911) children born to Daniel Morgan from Glasgow and Mary Ann Gallacher from Cathcart, Renfrewshire, who had married in Hutchesontown, Glasgow on 31st December 1879.

In 1891 Daniel (35), Mary (30), and five of their children were living in Gilmour's Land, Bridge of Weir. Daniel was a baker. His younger brother John Morgan was a leather currier in Glasgow and had a large family including Tommy Morgan, born in 1898, who became one of Glasgow's most successful music-hall and variety artists. Tommy was therefore a full cousin of Charles Morgan.

By 1901 the Morgan family was at Cooperative Terrace, off Main Street, Bridge of Weir. Peter (15) was an apprentice baker. Charles (7) was at school. The two oldest girls were no longer in the family home.

In 1911 the family was still living in their two-roomed flat in Cooperative Terrace, with a grandson, John and a visiting cook, Agnes Hart, on the night of the census making eight in the household. By then Peter and Charles were pastry bakers and Mary was a baker's book-keeper, probably all in the family business. Charles certainly was, and he also attended classes at Glasgow Technical College.

Charles Morgan married Robina Logan Boyle, thread millworker, in St Margaret's Chapel, Johnstone on 30th April 1917. Charles's residence by then was Maxwell Terrace, Bridge of Weir and Robina (Ruby), who was a daughter of Michael Boyle, fish merchant and Mary Logan, was from 3 Dimity Street, Johnstone. They had a daughter, Agnes Mary, on 1st February 1918.

Despite his father Daniel using the good offices of a local influencer, Thomas Glen-Coats of Ferguslie Park, to write to the Paisley recruiting officer, Captain Williamson, exhorting Charles to be enlisted in the Glasgow Yeomanry with the hope of joining his older brother Peter, then in Egypt, it must have fallen on deaf ears, as the Army was traditionally inclined to do. Charles Morgan was duly enlisted in May 1917 into the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, and was later made Acting Corporal in the 1st/8th Battalion.

He was posted to France and was reported missing on 21st March 1918, the first day of the German Spring Offensive. The 8th Argylls suffered 15 killed, 106 wounded and 144 missing that day. He was not officially presumed killed on that date until January 1919. His memorial is at the Vadencourt British Cemetery in Maissemy near Saint-Quentin in the Pas de Calais, near the front line trenches that were overwhelmed on that day.

His older brother Peter had volunteered for the Glasgow Yeomanry in August 1914 and was serving in Palestine in 1918 and 1919.

On 3 May 1921, Charles' father Daniel wrote to the records keeper of the 8th Argylls for details of where his grave might be found since he wanted to visit it.

Siblings

Sources

• Letter fom Thomas Glen-Coats, Ferguslie Park, Paisely to Captain Williamson 26 April 1917
  page 1
  page 2
  page 3
  
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• Scottish National War Memorial
• Charles Young Morgan birth certificate, 19th March 1894. Regd. Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire 6th April 1894.
• 1891 UK Census: Parish: Kilbarchan; ED:8; Page:2; Line:4; Roll: CSSCT1891_185.
• 1901 UK Census: Parish: Kilbarchan; ED:2; Page:7; Line:8; Roll: CSSCT1901_188.
• 1911 UK Census: Parish: Kilbarchan & Bridge of Weir. Ward: Bridge of Weir; Page 8; lines 17-24. 559/0B 002/00 008.
• Charles Young Morgan and Robina Logan Boyle marriage certificate, 30th April 1917, Regd. 2nd May 1917, Johnstone & Elderslie, Renfrewshire; 573/02 0033
• Charles Morgan Army Service Record. page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5, page 6, page 7, page 8, page 9, page 10, page 11, page 12, page 13, page 14, page 15, page 16, page 17, page 18, page 19, page 20, page 21, page 22, page 23, page 24, page 25, page 26, page 27, page 28, page 29, page 30, page 31, page 32, page 33
• War Diaries: 1/8th Bn., Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; 183rd Brigade, 61st Division. March, 1918 - May 1919. WO-95-1944-1
  • FRESNOY: 19 March 1918. 7.30 p.m. In trenches. Relieved by 5th Gordon Highlanders and marched to huts at MARTEVILLE.
  • MARTEVILLE: 20 March 1918. Working in Battle Zone. B Coy billeted in Battle Zone at KEEPERS HOUSE.
  • 21 March 1918. 3.0 am-4.45 am. Heavy bombardment of the forward area & the Battle Zone commenced. Order to "man Battle Stations" received. Battalion occupied positions in Battle Zone East of MARTEVILLE. During the course of the forenoon the outpost lines near FRESNOY and PONTRUET were penetrated, and the Battalion was heavily attacked. Positions in the Battle Zone were held throughout the day. Col. J.R. McALPINE-DOWNIE wounded. Major R.G. MUIR, MC in command. Casualties: Officers: 1 Killed; 4 Wounded; 2 Missing: Other Ranks: 14 Killed; 102 Wounded; 142 Missing.
• Glasgow Royal Technical College Roll of Honour. Strathclyde University Archives:
  Roll of Honour accessed 8th Feb 2014.
• Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette
• 1st June 1918: MISSING SOLDIER Corporal Charles Morgan A. & S. H. reported missing since 21st March. Corporal Morgan is a second son of Daniel Morgan & Mrs Morgan, bakers and confectioners, Ranfurly, Bridge of Weir, and husband of Miss Ruby Boyle, Johnstone. Corporal Morgan was well known in local football circles and also the Technical College, Glasgow, where he was a student for many years. Corporal Morgan is 24 years of age and previous to joining the Army in May, 1917, he assisted his father in the business. Corporal Morgan's elder brother is in Palestine. He joined the Colours in 1914.
• 25th January 1919: - DEATHS: Reported missing on March 21st 1918, now presumed killed on that date, Corporal Charles McGhee Morgan, A & SH, aged 24, second son of Mr & Mrs Daniel Morgan bakers & confectioners, Ranfurly, Bridge of Weir and beloved husband of Ruby Boyle, Johnstone.
• 25th January 1919: BRIDGE OF WEIR: ATHLETE KILLED IN ACTION: Many will learn with regret that Mr D Morgan has received official intimation that his son, who was reported missing on 21st March, 1918, is now presumed to have been killed on that date, and was second son to Mr & Mrs D Morgan, baker & confectioner, Ranfurly, and previous to joining the Army, was in business with his father. He was a student in the Technical College of Glasgow, and held many certificates for his fancy work. Charlie was a keen athlete and was captain of the Kilmacolm football team for 2 years. His elder brother, Peter D Morgan, who is still in the East, joined the Glasgow Yeomanry in August 1914.
• 22nd March 1919: IN MEMORIAM: In loving memory of our dearly beloved Son and Brother, Corporal Charlie Morgan, Ranfurly, Bridge of Weir (A&SH) who was killed in France on March 21st 1918 - Inserted by his sorrowing Parents, Brothers and Sisters.
  
  The midnight stars are gleaming
  On a grave I cannot see,
  Where, sleeping, without dreaming
  Lies the one so dear to me.
  
  Peaceful, be thy rest, dear Charlie
  'Tis sweet to breath thy name;
  In life we loved you dearly,
  In death we do the same.
  
  No loving hand clasped yours that day,
  No home voice said good-bye;
  You fell in battles dread affray,
  But God himself was nigh.
  
  Oh! Son, little did I think
  When first I cradled thee,
  That on the battlefield you'd fall,
  So far away from me!
  
  His King and Country called him,
  The call was not in vain;
  On Britain's Roll of Honour
  You'll find the Hero's name.
  (21st March 1918)
• 20th March 1920 - IN MEMORIAM: In memory dear of my dearly beloved Brother, Charles Morgan, who made the supreme sacrifice on March 21st 1918.
  
  No more shall the smile of his countenance brighten
  The long dreary hours of his friends left behind;
  For no one who knew him could ever forget him,
  His ways were so loving, gentle and kind.
  
  His King and his country called him,
  The call was not in vain;
  In Britain's roll of honour
  You'll find the hero's name.
  Inserted by his Sister and Brother in law Mr & Mrs J J Stone, Maxwell Terrace, Bridge of Weir.
• Evening Times
  o 29th January 1919: FOOTBALLER KILLED IN ACTION: Mr D. Morgan, Bridge of Weir, has been officially informed that his second son, Corporal Charles Morgan, A. and S. Highlanders, reported missing as far back as March 21, has been killed in action. Corporal Morgan, who was a prominent athlete and captain of the Kilmacolm Football Club, leaves a wife and a baby girl. Previous to the outbreak of war he was in his father's business at Bridge of Weir as an ornamental and fancy baker. He was a student of the Technical College, Glasgow, and held numerous certificates for proficiency in his profession. An elder brother, Peter Morgan, who joined the forces at the outbreak of war, is still in Palestine.
• Letter from father, Daniel Morgan, to officer in charge of records for 8th Argyles (sic) 3 May 1921 View Letter here
• Medals: Victory, British War.

TO CITE THIS PAGE: MLA style: "Bridge of Weir Memorial". Date of viewing. http://www.bridgeorweirmemorial.co.uk/profile-morgan.html