MORRISON Alexander 1902-1952

Alex’S DAD Angus Morrison was born in Edinburgh Castle

Alex was born at No. 2 Blackfriars Street at the right hand side first tenement 1902

Life was grim in the Old Town in those days.

Alex’s parents and siblings

Alex was a Bandsman in the Gordon Highlanders in the year 1921.

This was the Church where he and Helen were married in 1921. It was Presbyterian

Sheila on her wedding day with her lovely sister Nancy

Sons Alex and Podge, daughter Ellen at the right and of course Mary Kesson

Daughters Mary and Sheila, with Paul and Raymond Miller, and Josie Quilietti

c1960 with Ma Morrison at the back left, daughters Nancy and Peggy. Mary and Mags Morrison her daughters in law and a bunch of grandchildren at the front

Alex. shortly before his death looking much older than his years

During WW2 Alex was a training Sergeant and was training young soldiers from a Barracks in North Frith in Blackdown, Aldershot, Hants, England. He wrote some letters to Peggy who was really ill at the time and had to lose a kidney.

Excerpt showing his sense of humour trying to cheer up Peggy

I see you’ve been noticing your mother’s hair, I know she must be worrying, but what about me? I’m turning grey as a rat and my hairs falling out in lumps. In a few weeks I’ll be bald as a coot. I’ve no teeth to talk of and in fact, when I think of it, its a marvel to me how I’m able to totter about, without the aid of a pair of crutches or anyway a stick. But I better stop telling you everything that’s wrong with me because I’m beginning to frighten myself and in another minute I’ll be taking a bad turn, and mind you, I’m younger than your mother.

I even go to Church every Sunday morning. Yes Sir, The Methodist, and mind you, it’s voluntary, and I’m not ashamed to say that I always say a bit prayer for you to get well quickly. Well my dear, this is all, keep smiling, Cheerio. Your Loving Father.
On page 4 he talks about the millions of Blackberries and Hazelnuts and him stuffing himself full of them, and also of a local farm where the children came and gave him an Apple. He described them as Shy and he gave them a tanner!!!

The North Frith Military Barracks

The North Barracks were used mostly to train Canadian Soldiers. It was estimated that some 300,000 Canadian solders came to Britain during the war period 1940 to 1945 and 30,000 or more were stationed in and around the area of North camp. Grandad Morrison was a Training Sergeant although I am not sure what his specialities were.
The Canadian 1st Infantry Division arrived in 1941 1942 and the 2nd Infantry Division arrived May 21 1943 and was billeted in Salamanca and Badajos Barracks. Salamanca was the large barracks on the left and right as you came up Hospital Hill road from Aldershot town centre.

Can anyone out there help me with this number 286r626 it looks like

Alex Morrison DOB 10/4/1902. 5’4 and a Quarter, 124 lbs, sallow complexion, Grey eyes and Dark Brown Hair with a tattoo on his right forearm.
Army No. when he was in Gordon Highlanders was ***2865686***

RIP Grandad. You had an early call dying at age 50.

A BIT ABOUT THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS and the MORRISONS

From second Great Grandfather George Morrison 1831-1911 right down the line to Grandad Alex 1902-1952 this branch of the family all had connections with the Gordon Highlanders. George Morrison was born in Tongue, Sutherland, and at this time of the Highland Clearances there was an opportunity for him to do a worthwhile occupation and he joined the Army at a young age and we know he had a medal for fighting in the Crimean War.

He married in 1863 to Elizabeth Cowie. His daughter Marion was born at sea on the way to India. George’s brother Alexander was born in Jhansi, Bengal, India in 1871. The rest of the family born Edinburgh Castle [Alex] and Dundee [James]