Cyril Lascelles Morris
Person details
| Forename(s) | Cyril Lascelles |
|---|---|
| Surname | Morris |
| Rank | Flight Lieutenant |
| Regiment | RAFVR |
| Age | 31 |
| Death | Killed in action |
| Place of Death | Western Europe > Germany |
| Date of Death | 13/08/1944 |
| Year of Entry | 1927 |
| House Letter | D |
| School Notes | Musician; Choir; Artist; Engineering |
| Comments |
War record of 12 Squadron http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno12squadron.cfm http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/12_wwII.html Cyril Morris was a test pilot stationed in USA for part of the war. He test flew the first helicopters made by the Sikorsky Corporation. An article by Alex H. Faulkner in the Daily Telegraph 22 April 1943 describes the event - copy in Radley OR files Father of BTC Morris (F Social 1954), GD Morris (G Social 1955) & SR Morris (F Social 1957) War Memorial Fund (1943) Ctte minutes 29.5.1946: 'Applications on behalf of thirteen boys were considered. Twelve of the candidates were sons of ORs who had been killed in the war and one a nephew - [due] 1953 Morris, BTC, 11th birthday 4 August 1951; 1955 Morris, GD, 11th birthday 13 May 1953; 1957 Morris, SR, 11th birthday 4 Feb 1955.' |
| Commonwealth War Graves Commission Link | https://www.cwgc.org/find-record... |
| Unit | 12 Squadron |
| Prefect | School Prefect; Head of Social |
| Military Decorations | Mentioned in despatches |
| Album Number | 23 |
| Battle | [Bombing campaign] |
| Previous Regiment | |
| Burial or Cemetery | Germany > Hanover |
| Citations | |
| Archives | Correspondence file in OR files in Radley Archives |
| Post School | Married |
| Prep School | |
| Prisoner of War | |
| Radlein Obituary |
June 17 1945. Recorded as missing November 25 1945. Missing on Aug. 13th, 1944, and now presumed killed, Cyril Lascelles Morris, FIt. Lt., R.A.F.V.R. (Stevenwn's, D, 1927-3I). The death of Cyril Morris will come as a sad shock to many of his contemporaries at Radley. Whilst he did not readily invite or extend friendship, it can certainly be said of him that those who could count themselves his friends had in him a loyal and unshakeable companion. At school he was a boy of tremendous enthusiasms in a widely divergent field, his first love, possibly inspired by his brother "D.R.", being the River. He rowed in the 1st VIII at Henley in 1931 and as Captain of Social Boats he inspired the young crews of his year by his energy and courage. As a rugger player he was a powerful hard playing forward, always in the thick of it, and he won a 2nd XV cap. A School Prefect and Head of the Social, he was austere, just, and expected the best from every one, which he generally managed to obtain. He was very musical but whilst he enjoyed classical works, his friends frequently found him giving expression to his exuberance by playing gramophone records of the latest jazz music. He had a good and powerful voice and enjoyed singing, as can be understood from the fact, I think I am right in saying, that he was in the choir throughout his school life. I would add that at times his voice would sound above all others, first as a treble and later as a tenor, and draw sharp glances from the organ loft mirror! He had a great flair for all things mechanical and gave expression to this enthusiasm by his daring but extremely skilful driving of sporting cars from an early age. Those who have travelled with him from Radley to his home at Henley at the end of term will count it an experience not readily forgotten! He was always deeply interested in developments within the automobile and aeronautical world. In this connection he was quite a good artist and would frequently make lightning sketches of a somewhat futuristic nature embodying his own ideas of motor car or aeroplane design, many of which bear strong resemblance to subsequent progress in these fields. To those who knew him it came as no surprise to hear that he had joined the R.A.F. at the outbreak of war, and his. official commendation for "valuable service in the air" seemed a natural sequence to the application of his great physical courage and love of things mechanical to the service of his country. |
| Service Number | 81055 |
| Place of Birth |
