Canada, Commonwealth. The Medals Of Lieutenant-Commander Morris Rcnvr, Convoy Escort Hmcs Eastview

1. Group of Five: 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp; War Medal 1939-1945; and Canadian Forces' Decoration, QE II (LCDR J.L. MORRIS). Naming is officially engraved on the CFD, the other awards are un-named as issued. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, marked "J.R. GAUNT MONTREAL / MADE IN ENGLAND" on the reverse of the suspension, all but the 1939-1945 Star with original ribbons, dark patina on the WM, tarnishing evident on the CVSM and its clasp, residue evident in the recessed areas on the Stars from cleaning;

2. Miniature Group Five: 1939-1945 Star (in bronze, measuring 17 mm (w) x 20 mm (h)); Atlantic Star (in bronze, measuring 17.8 mm (w) x 21 mm (h)); Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp (in silver, measuring 18 mm in diameter); War Medal 1939-1945 (in cupro-nickel, measuring 18.5 mm in diameter); and Canadian Forces' Decoration, QE II (in bronze gilt, measuring 18.5 mm (w) x 25.5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension). Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran;

3. Identification Bracelet (in silver, maker marked "L & S" (Levi & Salaman), marked with an anchor (made in Birmingham), the British lion and date marked "S" (1917) on the reverse, engraved "Spr E.M. MORRIS. / 541616. / C OF E. / CAN: ENG:" on the obverse and "JAMES MORRIS. 48, ADMIRAL ROAD / TORONTO CANADA." on the reverse, measuring 33.7 mm (w) x 26.5 mm (h), on a wrist chain);

4. Royal Canadian Navy Officer's Cap Badge (wreathing in gold-coloured bullion wire, in various textures, framing a silvered fouled anchor, surmounted by a Tudor crown in silvered and gold-coloured bullion wire, maroon felt in the void of the crown, touches of red, green and blue embroidery along with black threading giving definition to the base of the crown, on a black wool base, padded, kraft paper backer, measuring 89.5 mm (w) x 65 mm (h), sewn in place to a 44 mm wide x 600 mm long black embroidered nylon headband);

5. 24 Hour Military Rolex Wrist Watch (metal casing, glass crystal, face with 1-12 numerals in black, with red luminescent 13-24 numerals on the inner ring, marked "ROLEX OYSTER ROYALITE / OBSERVATORY" and "SWISS MADE", marked "143854" over "2280" and engraved "J.L. MORRIS Toronto" on the reverse, measuring 33.2 mm (w) x 35.5 mm (h) x 10.5 mm (d) inclusive of its non-functioning stem,);

6. HMCS Eastview Jacket Breast Insignia (in silvered and gold-coloured bullion wire, in various textures, with red, maroon, green, light blue, dark blue and white embroidery, black threading giving definition to the sails, leafing, arm, shield and ribbon banner, on a black felt base, black cloth backer, measuring 120 mm (w) x 123 mm (h));

7. Zones of France Map, Second Edition (in nylon, map at 1 : 2,000,000 scale, dated March 1944, with an inset showing known occupation and non-occupation zones, printed in four-colour inks, measuring 575 mm (w) x 623 mm (h), exhibiting wrinkling and creasing);

8. Third Reich 10 Reichsmark Coin 1938 (in aluminum-bronze, measuring 21 mm in diameter);

9. Assortment of Seventeen Second War Period Banknotes (AKA Paper Money, representing: Allied Military Authority (1), Belgium (3), France (4), Germany (1), Netherlands (7), Soviet Union (1), in various denominations, colours and sizes, in an envelope marked "On HIs Majesty's Service / The Director, Post Office Savings Department, West Kengsington, LONDON, W.14" and coded "No. 3B."). Accompanied by copies of his RCN Attestation Paper and Service Records. Better than very fine.

Footnote: James Logie Morris was born on November 24, 1922 in Toronto, York County, Ontario. His education consisted of a Senior Matriculation in Toronto. After his high school education, he began working as a Junior Fire Insurance Underwriter with the Union Insurance Society of Canton in 1940, and would leave this position the following year, in order to join the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve. Morris began service with the RCNVR (V49667) on October 29th, 1942, at the age of 19, signing his RCNVR Will and Testament that day, naming his mother, Mary Morris of Toronto, as his beneficiary. He qualified in a one day Anti-Gas Course held on June 11, 1943 and received Seaman Training for three months at HMCS Cornwallis, completing it in July 1943 and achieving the rank of Ordinary Seaman.

Ordinary Seaman Morris served aboard the armed yacht HMCS Ambler from July 1943 to August 1943, his character noted as "Very Good". He successfully passed the final Selection Board at HMCS Cornwallis on August 16-17, 1943, in accordance with Naval Order 2611 and was promoted to the rank of Probationary Sub-Lieutenant, RCNVR. As a Probationary Sub-Lieutenant, he served as a Divisional Officer at HMCS Prevost in London, Ontario as of March 28, 1943, then at HMCS Cornwallis in Deep Brook, Nova Scotia beginning on April 27, 1943. He was posted to the officer training establishment HMCS Kings in Halifax, Nova Scotia for four months, until April 1944, and completed a Damage Control Course at HMCS Stadacona in May 1944. He is also documented as having been at HMCS Hochelaga in Montreal, Quebec as of June 1944.

In the rank of Acting Lieutenant, Morris was posted to the River-class frigate HMCS Eastview K655, where he performed Watchkeeping and Signals duties, from May 1944 to November 1945. HMCS Eastview served as a convoy escort in the Battle of the Atlantic. She was named after the Ottawa suburb of Eastview (now Vanier), ordered in October 1941 as part of the 1942-1943 building program. She was laid down on August 26, 1943 by Canadian Vickers Limited at Montreal, launched on November 17, 1943 and commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy at Montreal on June 3, 1944 with the pennant K665. The ship arrived at Halifax on June 26, 1944 and proceeded to Bermuda to work up. Upon her return in August 1944, she was attached to EG C-6 as a Senior Officer's ship, and on September 18, 1944, left St. John's, Newfoundland with her first convoy, HXF.308. For the balance of the European portion of the war, she was continuously on Atlantic convoy duty, and was one of the escorts of HX.358, the last HX convoy of the war, leaving St. John's on May 27, 1945. She arrived in Londonderry (at the head of Lough Foyle) on June 6, 1945 and departed for Canada on June 13, 1945. In July 1945, she transferred to the west coast and had barely commenced tropicalization refit when work was stopped and the ship laid up in reserve at Esquimalt, British Columbia, having achieved battle honours: Atlantic 1944-1945. During his tenure with HMCS Eastview, Sub-Lieutenant James Logie Morris, RCNVR was promoted to Acting Lieutenant on June 4, 1944. Acting Lieutenant Morris was with HMCS Eastview, as part of the Newfoundland Escort Service and was commended in a report on the occasion of the Supersession of the Commanding Officer, for the period June 4, 1944 to September 15, 1944: "Has developed quickly as a Junior Officer and adapted himself to sea-going life very well. Is bright and cheerful, careful of detail and is excellent material with further experience, either for specialization or First Lieutenant. Popular in the Wardroom. Good divisional officer."

Once HMCS Eastview had been laid up at Esquimalt, Lieutenant Morris was posted to HMCS Naden at Esquimalt in November 1945 awaiting demobilization, as hostilities had ceased, and was at HMCS York in Toronto when he was discharged upon demobilization on December 17, 1945. His service with the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve entailed two years, nine months and seven days, from March 10, 1943 to December 17, 1945. For his Second World War service, he was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, the Atrlantic Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp and the War Medal 1939-1945, as of December 6, 1949.

Upon leaving the RCNVR, Morris returned to work for a brief period at the Union Insurance Society of Canton in 1946, before beginning his post-secondary education at the University of Toronto. After four years, he graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) degree, specializing in Mechanical Engineering, in 1950. Morris was also a sailing enthusiast. Upon leaving university, he started working for the Otis Elevator Company in Toronto in May 1950. It was here that he was employed as an Assistant to the Construction Superintendent, in the installation of new elevators, working with architects and contractors, in conjunction with the sales department prior to construction. After 1947, while continuing his schooling at university and in the work world at Otis, Lieutenant Morris resumed his naval commitment, as Assistant to the Executive Officer, signing his Officer's Attestation Paper in the rank of Lieutenant (0-53314) with the Royal Canadian Navy (Reserve) on February 28, 1947 at HMCS York in Toronto, Ontario, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Mary Morris of Toronto, stating that he had previous service in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve in the rank of Lieutenant, that he was Single, that his religion was Church of England and that his trade was that of Student.

Lieutenant Morris was at HMCS York, and was identified in a report on the occasion of a Change of Command, covering the period February 28, 1947 to July 21, 1947: "A capable and reliable officer. Has done good work at Ajax under very difficult conditions." During this period, he completed a one week Damage Control Course on May 14, 1949, scoring 79 percent. His Naval Training commenced on the 1st of April in four years (1947, 1948, 1949, 1954) and was granted an exemption for 1955. Lieutenant Morris is documented as having performed Watchkeeping duties aboard the engine-powered Algerine-class minesweeper HMCS New Liskeard in May 1947 and the reciprocating engine-powered Algerine-class minesweeper HMCS Portage in April and May 1948. Morris was cited in a report while with HMCS Portage, for the sixteen day period of May 1, 1948 to May 16, 1948: "This officer is somewhat above average and takes a keen interest in the whole ship. He volunteered for and stood watches in the engine room in addition to his normal duties. Morris is taking mechanical engineering at Toronto University and may consider turning over to the Engineering branch on completion of his course." Morris was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on February 2, 1953. That Summer, Morris married Elizabeth A. Dickie (born 1922) on June 20, 1953 in Toronto. He would later re-marry Molly Flavelle, upon Elizabeth's death. Lieutenant-Commander James Logie Morris was at HMCS York in Toronto and was mentioned in a Special Report, covering the period from October 9, 1952 to December 4, 1954: "This officer has improved consistently in the last few months. He has taken a greater interest in the activities of the division, and has shown himself to be able to assume responsibility. He is a pleasant messmate and a good seaman." 0-53314 Lieutenant-Commander James Logie Morris applied for the Canadian Forces' Decoration on June 28, 1956, having previously completed the required service (two years, nine months and seven days with the RCNVR (March 10, 1943 to December 17, 1945) and nine years, two months and twenty-four days with the RCN (February 28, 1947 to May 21, 1956). Morris was transferred to the Retired List in the rank of Lieutenant-Commander, with seniority of five years and fifty-eight days and appointed to HMCS York (Retired List), to March 31, 1958. His service with the Royal Canadian Navy (Reserve) was a little over eleven months, from February 28, 1947 to March 31, 1958. Lieutenant-Commander James Logie Morris died at HealthPark Medical Centre, in Fort Myers, Florida, on January 26, 1999, at the age of 76, the beloved husband of Molly Flavelle, and of the late Elizabeth Dickie. He had one son, David Morris. His funeral service was held on Monday, February 1, 1999 at Knox Presbyterian Church, in Oakville, Ontario. He is buried in Hamilton Cemetery (Section: V), Hamilton, Wentworth County, Ontario.