Oliver Morris

Oliver Morris
Personal information
Full name Oliver J. Morris
Born October–December 1916
Llanelli district, Wales
Died 20 September 1944 (aged 27)
Northern Italy
Playing information
Weight 9 st 5 lb (59.4 kg; 131.0 lb)
Rugby union
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1936–36 Llanelli RFC
1936–Nov 37 Pontypridd RFC
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Rugby league
Position Stand-off/Five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Nov 1937–Sep 39 Hunslet 55 21
Sep 1939–≥42 Leeds 61 44 33 198
Total 116 65 33 0 198
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1938–41 Wales 5 0 0 0 0
Source: rugbyleagueproject.org

Oliver J. Morris (birth registered October–December 1916[1] — 20 September 1944 (aged 27)) birth registered in Llanelli district, was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s and '40s, playing club level rugby union (RU) for Llanelli RFC, and Pontypridd RFC, and playing representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for Hunslet, and Leeds, as a Stand-off/Five-eighth, i.e. number 6.[2] Oliver Morris was a Sergeant Major, later a Lieutenant, in the British Army (1st battalion of the Welch Regiment (note archaic spelling)) during World War II,[3] he was killed in Northern Italy, whilst fighting on the Gothic Line, during the Italian Campaign.[4]

Playing career

International honours

Oliver Morris won 5 caps for Wales (RL) in 1938–1941 while at Hunslet, and Leeds.[5]

Rugby Football League Championship final appearances

Oliver Morris played Stand-off/Five-eighth in Hunslet's 8-2 victory over Leeds in the 1937-38 Rugby Football League Championship final at Elland Road on Saturday 30 April 1938.[6]

Challenge Cup final appearances

Oliver Morris played Stand-off/Five-eighth in Leeds' 19-2 victory over Halifax in the 1940–41 Challenge Cup final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford, and in the 15-10 victory over Halifax in the 1941–42 Challenge Cup final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford.[7]

Other notable Games

Oliver Morris played Stand-off/Five-eighth for Northern Command XIII against a Rugby League XIII at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 21 March 1942.[3]

Club career

Oliver Morris made his début for Leeds against Broughton Rangers on Saturday 26 August 1939.

Genealogical information

Oliver Morris' marriage to Muriel M. Walker was registered during October→December 1941 in Leeds district.[8] They had children; Malcolm Morris (birth registered April→June 1944 (age 7071) in Leeds district), who Oliver Morris, due to his death, would never had seen.

References

  1. "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "inside programme, Northern Command v. A Rugby League XIII, 1942". rugbyleagueoralhistory.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  4. "True Heroes Remembered". therhinos.co.uk. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  5. Williams, Graham; Lush, Peter; Farrar, David (2009). The British Rugby League Records Book. London League. pp. 108–114. ISBN 978-1-903659-49-6.
  6. "Club History, Facts and Figures". yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  7. "History of Leeds Rugby League Club". britishrugbyleague.blogspot.co.uk. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  8. "Marriage details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.

External links