THE LATE COLONEL MORRIS

Otago Witness, Issue 3099, 6 August 1913, Page 74

THE LATE COLONEL MORRIS

A DISTINGUISHED FAMILY,

ADVENTUROUS CAREER

The late Colonel Charles Chase Morris was the eighth eon of a family of 17, while hi 3 father, Mr John Amac Morris, of the Indian Civil Service, was the eldest son of a family of 22. It was the father of the latter gentleman, the grandfather of Colonel Morris, who first went out to India and laid the foundations of a family which was to earn distinction in many branches of the public service. The late Colonel Morris's eldest brother, Canon John Morris, wds the principal of the Jesuit College in LondonThe canon acted as private secr-tary to Cardinal Newman, anti also to Cardinal Wiseman, and wrote a number of theological works, being chiefly known for his life of Thomas a'Bccket. Another of the late colonel's brothers was a judge in the Madras Civil Service, another an officer :n the Royal Navy, and still another an officer in the Madras Cavalry. Then there is Professor Morris, of the Melbourne University, while the youngest brother, Sir Malcolm, is president of the Radium Institute in London, and a great authority on skin diseases. The officer in the navy, it may bo mentioned, was accidentally poisoned shortly after an engagement with the Russians while operating in the North China Sea at the time of the Indian Mutiny. The deceased colonel was also a first cousin of the late Sir Evelyn Wood. It will thus be seen that the branch of the family founded by Mr John Oarnac Morris spread, as it were, to the four "corners of the earth, the members devoting their lives to State and Church, and gaining distinction in their several vocations. Mr John Carnac Morris himself will find a niche in the records of Indian history as the author of the first dictonary in Hindustani. He also compiled several text-books on Tclegu. At one time, it is interesting to note, there were no less than 70 members of the Morris family located in different parts of India. The late Colonel Morris’s military career was practically confined to India. After being educated in England ho obtained a commission at the age of 19, and at once volunteered for aqtive service in the Crimean war. This war, however, was just ending, and consequently the young volunteer was unable to go to the front. On the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny the newly made cornet returned to the land of his birth, and received a commission in the Bengal Cavalry. Shortly after he exchanged with Cornet Graham, of the Madras Light Cavalry, and it is rather an illuminating Sidelight on the chances of war that Comet Graham was the first man to bo killed when the Bengal Cavalry got into touch with- the oremy. Cornet Morris was placed in command of two troops of Silch cavalry, and remained with them right through the mutiny. After die bulk of the fighting was over ho was attached to a column sent out to endeavour to catch Tanta Toppee, the recognised fighting chief of the notorious Nana Sahib. Betrayed by an Indian woman, Toppee was shot by Inspector Swcte, of that column, as ho was leaving a hut. With two mounted native troopers Cornet Morris made a gallant night ride of over 80 miles, through unknown country, and in the enemy’s territory, with important despatches, and safely reached his destination. Riding stealthily up to a village, the adventurous three would reconnoitre till they could lay forcible bands on a villager to act as a guide, and by repeating this risky trick the party were able to win safely through. The young soldier was mentioned in despatches for Iris successful feat. Towards the end of the mutiny ho received a severe sunstroke and was invalided and sent Home—-He was now a quartermaster in the Light Infantry-—in charge of fit-tails.

On his return to India Quartermaster Morris took an appointment in the Madras Police, which was being formed on the lines of the famous Irish Constabulary, and went to Ganfaur, where constant trouble was experienced with the hill tribesmen. Overtaken by fever, he was transferred to Godavery. where ho had command of a force of 1500 police. Towards the end of hia police career the deceased soldier took a prominent part in helping to suppress the Rumpah rebellion, and on one occasion was shut up for a week in a bamboo stockade at Chodarum with but 35 police, while 600 of the rebels vainly tried to take the place. The besieged were, in fact, reported at headquarters as having been massacred. Relief was brought by a column consisting of two mountain batteries and four native regiments. As showing the extent of this rebellion, it was getting well on to two years before it was finally suppressed. At the conclusion of tho rebellion ho took up general duty with tho Prince of Wales’s Own Cavalry Regiment'at Bolari, and ultimately was appointed paymaster of pensions at Madras —his last appointment in India. After a service extending over 29 years and nine months, during which lie was fortunate enough to be only once wounded, he retired with the rank of colonel. Colonel Morris was not prone to talk of his exploits during his lengthy career in tho army, hut his record amply proves that ho was a daring soldier, and that he bore his full share, by field and flood, of the dangers and privations of those to whom tho duty has been entrusted of upholding tho honour of the flag. Ho was present at one of the reliefs of Cawnpore, and was a contemporarv officer with Lord Roberts, Sir Harry Rrcndcrgast, General Havelock, Generals Baird and Neill, and other soldiers whose fame will live long in tho memory of those whoso hearts are kindled by tho reading of accounts of deeds which have helped to win our Empire. So passes a gallant soldier and an English gentleman.