Morris Travis (TRA4311)

Basic Information

Unique reference:

TRA4311

Other surname:

Tavrogis

Gender:

Male

Birth

Date of birth:

1898

Place of birth:

Edmonton, London

Death

Date of death:

1999

Died in combat?:

1 of 3
Birth Certificate
2 of 3
Change of name certificate from New Zealand, 1941
3 of 3
Change of name certificate part two

Places

Addresses

146 Angel Road Edmonton, London (1911)

Legion d'Honneur

Morris received the French medal the Legion of Honour for his services during the First World War in 1999, shortly before he passed away.

The family believe it may have taken so long for the French authorities to track him down as he changed his name in 1941, whilst living in New Zealand, to Morris Travis, from the name he served with which was Tavrogis.

Moving to New Zealand

Family stories suggest Morris read a book about Captain Cooke in the trenches, which caused him to dream of living in New Zealand.

After the war and saving up enough money, he paid for his brothers to go out first (this being the kind of caring person he was) before following with his wife Esther to live in New Zealand for several years. before returning and settling again in Cardiff.

White Feathers

Morris remembered being given white feathers whilst living in Leeds at the start of the war, but he was too young, and enlisted as soon as he was old enough

Royal Flying Corps

Morris initially enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps, but apparently took one look at the planes and thought "these look far too flimsy", so changed his mind!

Instead he went to the Western Front in France with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and made his name as a signaller - reconnecting damaged and destroyed signalling connections at the Front.

Military Record

Military service:

Army

Military record no.:

220358

Rank at discharge/death:

Private

Assignments

Regiment:

Royal Flying Corps

Regiment:

King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

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Morris in Uniform
2 of 3
Morris in the Army 1918
3 of 3
Morris with brother Jack (right) during the First World War

Roll of Honour

TAVROGIS

Gallery

1 of 8
Article about Legion d'Honneur in South Wales Echo
2 of 8
Articles about Legion d'Honneur in South Wales Echo
3 of 8
Marriage Certificate to Esther, 1926
4 of 8
Copy of Marriage Certificate
5 of 8
Prayer Book for Jewish Soldiers and Sailors
6 of 8
Telegram from the Queen for Morris' 100th Birthday
7 of 8
Legion d'Honneur Medal
8 of 8
Legion d'Honneur Certificate

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