| Surname: | Morton |
| Initials: | W |
| Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Army Number: | 7690360 |
| Notes: | CMP. He enlisted in to the CMP. Home Queensbury, Bradford, Yorkshire. BEM for gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner. 4/3/50 He was awarded the BEM, Defence Medal, War Medal. Address:- 21 Mount Pleasant Street, Queensbury, Nr. Bradford, Yorks. Wilfred Morton. Extract from the Belfast News Letter, 29 January 1944. An American soldier has bee detained in connection with the shooting of Wilfred Morton, a British military policeman, on Thursday night, at Coraghwood Junction Morton a native of Yorkshire, was shot in the chest and his condition last night was described as "extremely critical." Hs is in a Newry hospital. In company with another military policeman, Morton was on duty at Coraghwood when he saw a man whom he believed to be an American soldier alight from he Dundalk, Coraghwood train. He approached the man who was in civilian attire and questioned him as to his identity. The man requested to be allowed to go to he lavatory, where it is alleged, he produced a revolver - a shot was heard and Morton was found wounded. The man rushed from the lavatory, crossed the railway track and escaped in the darkness. A hue and cry was raised and police from Newry and Bessbrook assisted by American military police, began a search which lasted throughout the night. About 10'clock yesterday morning a man alleged to be Morton's assailant, was found in a filed about half-a-mile from Coraghwood by US Army police, who conveyed the man to Newry where he was detained by the US Army authorities. Extract from the Western Daily Press, 19 January 1944. An American soldier has been detained in connection with the shooting of Wilfred Martin (should read Morton), a British military policeman, a native of Yorkshire on Thursday night, at Goraghwood Junction near Newry, Co. Armagh. He was shot in the Chest. Extract from the Belfast News-Letter, 8/7/44. The BEM is also awarded to Private Wilfred Morton, Corps of Military Police of Queensbury, Bradford. The citation is as follows: On January 27 Private Morton was on duty at Goraghwood Station when he arrested an Allied deserter who was returning to Northern Ireland from Eire. In making an attempt to escape the soldier produced a .45 automatic pistol and threatened Private Morton. With complete disregard for his personal safety Private Morton immediately tackled the soldier and received a severe gunshot wound in the left side. Private Morton has suffered severe pain from his wound, He is still in hospital, and it has not been found possible to remove the bullet. Private Morton displayed gallantry and outstanding devotion to duty. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | British Empire Medal (London Gazette: 36596 Page: 3169 July 4, 1944) |
| Citation: | Northern Ireland. Citation for BEM: On the 27th January, 1944, Private Morton was on duty at GORAGHWOOD Station when he arrested an Allied deserter who was returning to Northern Ireland from Eire. In making an attempt to escape the soldier produced a .45 automatic pistol and threatned Private Morton. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Private Morton immediately tackled the soldier and received a severe gunshot wound in the left side. Private Morton has suffered severe pain from his wound, is till in hospital, and it has not yet been found possible to remove the bullet. Private Morton displayed gallantry and outstanding devotion in performing his duty.National Archive WO 373/68 Pt.2. |