Jimmy Morton's War Medal comes home

[The Roy Barry Fan Club]

So who was Jimmy Morton? James (Jimmy) Morton was a Committee member of DAFC in 1914.  He was one of many Dunfermline men who enlisted in 16 Royal Scots (better known as McCrae's Battalion) following an appeal at the Usher Hall by Sir George McCrae in November 1914. Dunfermline Athletic Heritage Trust have purchased his War Medal, Death Scroll and also his military papers. The medal, scroll and a photograph of Jimmy will be on display from next week in the Trust display cabinets which are in the foyer by the Club shop. 

DAFC was not incorporated until after the war as a limited company, so he was the equivalent of a Board Director today. Like today, being a Committee Member was an unpaid post. Whilst many footballers died in the war, and we are aware of another six Dunfermline Athletic men who lost their lives, it is extremely rare to have a Committee or Board Member die. Jimmy Morton is represented by one of the seven perspex silhouettes that the Heritage Trust erect on the seats at the half-way line in the North Stand every November with help from several contributors to this web-site. 

Jimmy worked in a linen mill, and lived in Appin Crescent. He was born in Woodmill Street, Dunfermline in 1881 and his father worked on the railway as a parcel van man.  Morton was just under 5 foot 5 inches tall when he enlisted at Edinburgh in early December 1914. It should be noted that he reduced his age to thirty from thirty three on volunteering.

He served in D Company, alongside Davie Izatt who was Dunfermline's left half. The battalion crossed to France in January 1916. McCrae's first casualty was Private Russell who came from the New Row Dunfermline and was Lady McCrae's nephew. The Battalion was at the epicentre of the first day of the Somme, attacking into the small village of Contalmaison and were decimated. Morton and Izatt died together. Their bodies were never recovered and they are named on the Thiepval Memorial. There is a battalion cairn in Contalmaison, and Jimmy Morton is on the Dunfermline War Memorial also. 

The medal, along with a Victory Medal, was issued to his parents (he never married) in 1922, and we have the receipt. We also have the Scroll issued to the families of those killed in the name of King George V. His effects from the army amounted to less than £9 in money plus a few simple items such as a shaving mirror and some postcards and letters.

Lest We Forget

 

 

[Piracy]

I love these personal historical accounts of ordinary folk and their personal tales of their personal history and ultimately sacrifice. 

I've read hundreds of books/accounts of similar personal accounts of war. Often inspiring given the conviction and resolute self discipline on display in man made hell on earth conditions.

Ordinary people in extra ordinary circumstances. 

RIP Jimmy Morton. I salute you sir. 

 

[Superally]

Thanks to The Roy Barry Fan Club and the Heritage Group for maintaining the Pars proud history and recording the brave contribution of Pars who have served in adversity