Private Fredrick James Duncan Morrison was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, on December 19, 1892, to parents Murdock and Mary Morrison. Fred was still quite young when his family, which included five older sisters, moved to Ladysmith, B.C.
With prior military experience in the 101st Edmonton Regiment, he enlisted in Valcartier, Quebec, on September 24, 1914, and shipped overseas that October. He served in France with the 5th Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade. He was killed in action near Courcelette, France, on September 27, 1916, and is commemorated in France on the Vimy Memorial.
Morrison’s name is listed on the Ladysmith Cenotaph along with forty other soldiers who were born, lived, or worked in Ladysmith, British Columbia, and who died during the First World War. Seven of these soldiers, including Morrison, had wartime letters published by The Ladysmith Chronicle newspaper (see links below).
The complete list of soldiers in the can be found in the Ladysmith and District Historical Society collection.
External links:
Pte. Morrison’s service record (Serv/Reg# 13016) can be viewed/downloaded in pdf format through Library and Archives Canada.
Burial Information is available at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
A memorial page honouring Morrison can be visited online at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.
Pte. Morrison is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, France, and on the Ladysmith Cenotaph, Rotary Memorial Peace Garden, Ladysmith, British Columbia.
A collection of WWI soldiers' letters published in The Ladysmith Chronicle was undertaken by the Ladysmith & District Historical Society through their work with the Ladysmith Archive
[Note: There are some name-related discrepancies within Duncan’s Service Record, with his first middle name variously appearing as James, John, and Jason.]