Oliver Morris Explained

First:RU
Oliver Morris
Fullname:Oliver James Morris
Birth Date:fourth ¼ 1916
Birth Place:Llanelli district, Wales
Death Date:20 September 1944 (aged 27)
Death Place:Gothic Line, Fascist Italy
Weight:9st
Ru Position:Fly-half
Ru Club1:Llanelli RFC
Ru Year1start:≤1936
Ru Year1end:36
Ru Club2:Pontypridd RFC
Ru Year2start:1936
Ru Year2end:Nov 37
Club1:Hunslet
Year1start:Nov 1937
Year1end:Sep 39
Appearances1:55
Tries1:21
Club2:Leeds
Year2start:Sep 1939
Year2end:≥42
Appearances2:61
Tries2:44
Goals2:33
Points2:198
Year3start:194?
Year3end:4?
Teama:Wales
Yearastart:1938
Yearaend:41
Appearancesa:5
Triesa:0
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:0
Yearbstart:1942
Appearancesb:1
Triesb:0
Goalsb:0
Fieldgoalsb:0
Pointsb:0
New:yes
Retired:yes
Updated:4 April 2010
Source:[1]
Module:
Embed:yes
Allegiance: United Kingdom
Unit:Welch Regiment
Rank:Lieutenant
Service Years:1939-44
Battles:World War II

Oliver James Morris (fourth ¼ 1916[2] – 20 September 1944) was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s. He played club level rugby union (RU) for Llanelli RFC and Pontypridd RFC, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for Hunslet, Castleford (Heritage No. 225 as a wartime guest) and Leeds, as a, i.e. number 6.[1]

Background

Oliver James Morris' birth was registered in Llanelli district, Wales. He was a sergeant major, later a lieutenant, in the British Army (1st battalion of the Welch Regiment (note archaic spelling)) during World War II,[3] and he was killed aged 27 in Northern Italy, whilst fighting on the Gothic Line, during the Italian Campaign.[4]

Rugby Union

Morris started his Rugby union career with Llanelli RFC but became a key part of the Pontypridd RFC team in the mid-to-late 1930s as their Fly-half. Morris became the first player from the Pontypridd club to ‘go north’ in November 1937. Weighing just nine and a half stones, there was great doubts about his ability to make it in professional rugby league.[5]

Rugby League

International honours

Oliver Morris won 5 caps for Wales (RL) in 1938–1941 while at Hunslet, and Leeds.[1] [6]

Championship final appearances

Oliver Morris played in Hunslet's 8–2 victory over Leeds in the Championship Final during the 1937–38 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 30 April 1938.[7]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Oliver Morris played in Leeds' 19–2 victory over Halifax in the 1940–41 Challenge Cup Final during the 1940–41 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford, in front of a crowd of 28,500, and played in the 15–10 victory over Halifax in the 1941–42 Challenge Cup Final during the 1941–42 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford, in front of a crowd of 15,250.[8]

Other notable matches

Oliver Morris played for Northern Command XIII against a Rugby League XIII at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 21 March 1942.[3]

Club career

Oliver Morris made his début for Leeds against Broughton Rangers at The Cliff, Broughton, Salford on Saturday 26 August 1939.

Death

During the war, Morris became a Lieutenant in the Welch Regiment, and was killed in Italy on 21 September 1944 aged twenty-seven.[5] [9]

Genealogical information

Oliver Morris' marriage to Muriel M. (née Walker) was registered during fourth ¼ 1941 in Leeds district.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org. rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  2. Web site: Birth details at freebmd.org.uk. freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. 1 January 2012.
  3. Web site: inside programme, Northern Command v. A Rugby League XIII, 1942. rugbyleagueoralhistory.co.uk. 31 December 2011. 1 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223013/http://rugbyleagueoralhistory.co.uk/gallery-images/86-large.jpg. 2 December 2013. dead.
  4. Web site: True Heroes Remembered. therhinos.co.uk. 31 December 2014. 1 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150114204147/http://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/24183.php. 14 January 2015. dead.
  5. Web site: Granfield . Alun . Going North, Coming South - The Rugby League Connection . Ponty.Net . 18 October 2020 . 21 November 2020.
  6. Book: Graham. Williams. Peter. Lush. David. Farrar. The British Rugby League Records Book. London League. 978-1-903659-49-6. 2009. 108–114.
  7. News: Club History, Facts and Figures. https://web.archive.org/web/20121009065959/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/leeds-rhinos/club_history_facts_and_figures_1_2274590. dead. 9 October 2012. Yorkshire Evening Post. 31 December 2011. 1 January 2012.
  8. Web site: History of Leeds Rugby League Club. britishrugbyleague.blogspot.co.uk. 31 December 2012. 1 January 2013.
  9. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2078038/oliver-james-morris/ CWGC entry
  10. Web site: Marriage details at freebmd.org.uk. freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2014. 1 January 2015.