2/1165 Driver, A.R. Morrison, N.Z. Field Artillery, 2 September 1915, Age 24
Service Number: 2/1165 Unit: New Zealand Field Artillery Next of Kin: W.K. Morrison (father), 22 Windsor Terrace, Richmond, Christchurch, New Zealand Attesting 20 April 1915 at Trentham. Embarking 13 June 1915 from Wellington with New Zealand Field Artillery, 5th Reinforcements, for Suez, Egypt. Killed while on board HMT Southland when it was struck by a torpedo while enroute from Alexandria 3 days before, carrying troops for the Gallipoli campaign, and was only about 65km south of the isle of Lemnos when hit. Son of Margaret Morrison, of 6, Octavius Place, New Plymouth, New Zealand, and the late W. K. Morrison. Born at Opawa, Christchurch, New Zealand. Source: https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/story/76394 "THE SOUTHLAND – THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN TROOPSHIP TO BE TORPEDOED" By: Heather (Frev) Ford, 2009 " "My God – a torpedo!" was the shout from a sentry. "We watched the line of death getting nearer until it crashed, and the whole ship reeled. Then the order was given, 'The ship is sinking – abandon ship.'" A subaltern on board the Southland went on to say, "Without a cry or sign of fear, or more hurrying than on a brisk march, and singing 'Australia Will Be There,' the order was carried out." It was about 9.45 on the morning of the 2nd of September 1915, and the Southland had just encountered the German submarine UB14, under the command of Oberleutnant Heino von Heimburg. As part of the 6th Brigade convoy, she had left Alexandria 3 days before, carrying troops for the Gallipoli campaign, and was only about 65km south of the isle of Lemnos when hit. Her contingent included the 21st Bn, B Coy of the 23rd, the 6th FAB, members of the 2nd DSC, as well as 6th Bde & 2nd Div Headquarters staff, a NZ Artillery unit and various other sundry details. The convoy had been following a zigzag course all the way, the 'torpedo guard' on each ship keeping their eyes peeled for submarines. The Nile, carrying the 24th Bn and well ahead, had spotted the sub and managed to outrun it, the Scotian with the 22nd Bn on board also managed to dodge it, but the first the Southland knew of her predicament was the approaching torpedo." CREATED BY: IAN105013
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