I have just come across this site and am still stumbling my way through the wealth of information it seems to contain so I apologise if this is posted in the wrong area. I am researching those named on our local war memorial and one of the names is that of Robert John Pollok-Morris. I have some personal information but am struggling with the military side. I cannot access his official war records as I am not a family member so all I know is that at the outbreak of the Second World War he joined 'a battalion' of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. The CWGC site has this recorded as the 6th battalion but whether this was just at the time of his death or for the duration is unclear. He became a Major, Service Number 98449 and appears to have remained in the UK until D-Day. He was killed on the 16 Sep 1944, aged 27yrs, and was originally buried in Gooreinde then relocated to Kosterlee, 21 Jun 1945. Any information, or pointers as to where I might find more information, regarding his journey from June to September 1944 will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hello You can get his records from here for £30 you will not find them anywhere else. Have a read Get a copy of military service records Plus war diaries will give you info. A few members on here do a copy service at Kew at very good rates Regards Clive
War Diary for the 6th Bn RSF - Sept 1944 - https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/29af12_e00e9be6714c4aeaa830619e1a9fe9df.pdf from - https://www.15thscottishdivisionwardiaries.co.uk/war-diaries TD You do not need to be next of kin to obtain service records - they may restrict some of the record but not all
Thank you Clive. I always thought I needed to be next of kin, or at least have their permission, to apply. Obviously this is not the case! Will look into it.
MajorPOLLOK-MORRIS, ROBERT JOHN Service Number 98449 Died 16/09/1944 Aged 27 6th Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers Son of Robert Morris Pollok-Morris and Edith Maude Pollok-Morris, of Ayr. B.A. (Oxon.). INSCRIPTION WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT : ENTER THOU INTO THE JOY OF THY LORD https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2806901/pollok-morris,-robert-john/
That's only if they died less than 25 years ago. Anyone can apply for records of those that died in the war.
WOW! Thank you! That is fantastic! Robert is not mentioned by name but there it is - 2 Officers killed at Gooreinde....and the action that was taking place that day, prior to and beyond. Wish I'd found this site sooner!
Thank you. I have this but grateful to you for taking the trouble to post it. Through CWGC I confirmed that he was 6th Btn....just struggled with his military career...
London Gazette has him with 6 RSF in 1939. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34689/supplement/6409/data.pdf 6th Bn. R.S. Fus.—Robert John POLLOK-MORRIS (98449) (late Cadet Serjt., Harrow Sch. Contgt., Jun. Div., O.T.C.) to be 2nd Lt. 2nd Sept. 1939.
Ah right. So he was a Cadet when he attended Harrow...would that have continued during his studies at Oxford? According to the Gazette he must have joined the 6th in Sep 1939 and stayed with them throughout. I know that he applied for a permanent commission before being posted overseas. So the 6th remained in the UK for most of the war - until D-Day anyway... Sorry, jumbled up thoughts..thinking out loud!
Gentlemen, (I am assuming you are all gentlemen - please forgive me if I am wrong!) Thank you so much for all your help today, you have brought my research on leaps and bounds. You might also be interested to know that there is an article by Charles Hanaway who was a Bren gunner with the 6th Btn RSF in 1944. Although he just describes '3 Days in June' he recalls how, after the CO had given his men the brief that the next day (26th June) they were going to face the 12th SS 'Hitler Jugend' Division.. '...pandemonium broke out, and to me Sassenach, and Englishman amongst the Scots, I could not believe what I was witnessing, bagpipes were being played, men were singing and dancing in groups all over the field, just hours to go and they're celebrating and all are sober.' Sobering thought that by the end of the conflict so many were gone. I have also looked up the others who were killed on the 16th Sep 1944 with Robert...that's my problem..I get sucked down rabbit holes! I just think that everyone should be remembered. Capt William Picken MC - 247013 Sgt William Crawford - 3135167 - 32yrs L/Cpl Roland Leslie Pearce - 14442103 - 19yrs Fus John Henderson - 3603503 - 29yrs Fus George Connell Chalmers - 14214420 - 20yrs Fus Donald Cameron - 14707283 - 19yrs Fus William Roland Daniels - 1463485 - 19yrs Thank you all again for your help. I will be back as I have one more lad to research - you have ben warned1
MC:P202 Photograph album of Robert John Pollok-Morris (1916–44) Robert John Pollok-Morris (1916–44) was educated at Harrow, and was a Commoner at Magdalen in 1935–8, getting a Third in History. During the Second World War he served as a Major in the 6th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, and was killed in action in Belgium. More information on him will be found in R. Hutchins and R. Sheppard, The Undone Years (2003). This album was given to the College by Pollok-Morris’ nephew, and transferred to the archives in December 2002 as Accession No. 02/299. MC:P202 Photograph album of Robert John Pollok-Morris (1916–44) | Magdalen College Oxford
Thank you for this info. I note from Magdalen College that amongst the photos there is one of Robert himself in military uniform - obviously taken post 1939. I have e-mailed their archivist to see if it would be possible to obtain a copy. I didn't realise that he got a third in History - all the documentation I have read just refers to 'a degree' in History as well as a Diploma in Economics. The Undone Years is a little steep for me - will see how much other information I can obtain first before resorting to a purchase...although it does sound tempting! Thank you again.
Not sure if you are still active on this query but I was in Ten Aard this past weekend with the local historian tracing the footsteps of my mother's husband who was also 6RSF. It was a hellish time for 6RSF. Counter attack after counter attack and they couldn't bring their heavy weapons across the canal because the bridge had been blown and the RE couldn't erect a Bailey because the enemy had zeroed their artillery onto the canal with great precision. It also meant ammunition and supplies had difficulty reaching 6RSF and a member of 8RS which 6RSF had been sent to support complained of not having eaten for days. Some houses still bear the scars of the fighting even the RAP on the south side of the canal where I expect Pollok-Morris was treated by the surgeons if he was in condition to be treated. Anyway, it was a real rough few days for 6RSF - they held the bridgehead at cost but then suddenly orders were given to abandon the bridgehead. Most of those who died at Ten Aart are in Kasterlee.
Keith, The opening post author, HHAlloway, has not logged since November 2018. You could try a private message to him, assuming the email address given when joining remains valid.