William J.B. Morris Hometown

Private William J.B. Morris, called Bryan, was born to George W. Norris and Annie W. Nock on June 26, 1894 in Mappsville, Virginia. Morris had at least two siblings, Burleigh and Grace Morris. After his father’s passing in 1908, Morris went to work as a laborer in a Barrel Factory and his brother Burleigh worked as a salesman at a dry good store, both earning money for the family. Despite this Morris wrote that he had attended both “country school” and graduated from business college. 

When the war broke out, Morris was serving as a traffic manager at Coulbourn Brothers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Morris entered the service on May 10, 1918 as a private in the 6th Infantry Division, seven days later he arrived at Camp Wadsworth in South Carolina for training. Private Morris recalled that everything during his camp experience was new and different. He felt as if he was “living on the jump at all times.” He recalled that prior to entering the military, his work had necessitated that he “build up his thinking power and executive ability” but after entering the army Morris notes that he didn’t even have time to think, only to obey. He was “learning to become a mechanical machine.” While Morris says that he did and gave his best to the military it is clear from his writing that he struggled at times to obey commands without asking why he was being ordered to do something. Additionally, Morris wrote that he found the adjustment to the army physically challenging until he “got hardened to the life.” 

A little over a month after arriving at Camp Wadsworth, Morris began his journey overseas. Morris traveled first from Hoboken, New Jersey to Glasgow, Scotland. From there he traveled through England until he reached France at the end of July 1918. On September 1, 1918 Morris saw combat for the first time at Vosges, Alsace Sector. Morris faced immeasurable hardships in combat.  He wrote that he knew he was a man both mentally and physically because he believed “nothing but a man could withstand the hardships.” When discussing his religious beliefs Morris mentions that he, like many others, “made promises and pledges of things we would not do if we got back safely,” yet he followed this up noting that during the fighting there wasn’t much time for thoughts of religion or home. 

After the war Morris returned home and resumed his job as a traffic manager. He notes that his own experiences as a veteran were affected by the sway of public opinion. On his questionnaires he writes extensively about how public gratitude towards former servicemen quickly faded once the war ended. Morris also wrote extensively about his frustration with the lack of financial compensation paid to Virginia veterans. Morris believed that the state had failed to recognize properly the sacrifices that that its citizens had made. 

William J.B. Morris married Marion B Nagel in 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was 47 when he filled out his draft card for World War II. Based on census records, it doesn’t appear that he returned to live in Virginia. After the death of his wife in 1947, Private Morris moved to California where he died on October 24, 1984 at the age of 90. Morris is buried with his wife in Whitemarsh Memorial Park in Pennsylvania. 

1910; Census Place: Metompkin, Accomack, Virginia; Roll: T624_1619; Page: 18A; Enumeration District: 0010; FHL microfilm: 1375632

Morris, William J.B. War History Commission State of Virginia Military Service Record. Library of Virginia, Virginia War History Commission.