Roy Morell

Roy Morell (Service No 42) was born in Wollongong, N.S.W.

At enlistment Roy was single, 25 years old and worked as  grazier.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A29 Suevic with A Squadron, 6th Light Horse Regiment, on 21st December 1914.

After arriving in Egypt he was sent on to GallipolI, arriving on 15th May 1915. On 4th August 1915 he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the field and further promoted on 1st October 1915 to Lieutenant.  Roy saw service until he was sent to hospital in Malta in November 1915.

In Egypt, after the evacuation, he was promoted to Captain on 12th March 1916.

On 10th May 1916 Roy was transferred to 13th Machine Gun Company.

He arrived in France on 12th June 1916 and saw service on the Western Front, serving in various posts with distinction.

On 7th October he was Headquarters Staff Captain and on 6th February 1917 was made Brigade Major.

On 27th July 1918 Roy returned as Corps Machine Gun Officer to the Machine Gun Company until the end of the war.

Roy was recommended for a Military Cross and the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.  He was ultimately awarded the Distinguished Service Order in June 1917 and the Order of the British Empire in June 1919, and a Mention in Despatches Award in July 1919.

The citation for the recommendation for Military Cross states: 'Captain Morell commanded the 13th Machine Gun Coy. from the time of its formation in Egypt towards the end of February 1916 till he was appointed Staff Captain to the Brigade on 7th October 1916. His work, organising and training the Machine Gun Coy. brought it to a high state of efficiency. The Coy. engaged with the Brigade in active operations at FLEURBAIX and on the ??? twice and on each occasion Capt. MORELL'S excellent judgement and ability in the disposition and use of his guns assisted very considerably toward the attainment of the Brigade objectives. As Staff Captain his services have been equally meritorious and his work has been marked by unfailing devotion to duty and conspicuous ability and energy.'   Although this recommendation was for the Military Cross, the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) was awarded.  

On 20th November 1918 he married Frances Pole-Carew in South Devon, England and they went on to have 5 children.

Roy returned to Australia in May 1919 and was discharged on 3rd July 1919.

Back in Australia Roy worked a property in Queensland.  In 1936 Roy moved to Sydney where he became a stock broker.  He served as honorary treasurer of the Royal Agricultural Society in Sydney for over 20 years and was active in other charitable enterprises.

In 1943, as a member of 2nd AIF he was Second in Charge, Sydney Australian Army Movement Control, and discharged with the Rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1945.