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| File Reference |
MSP34REF46833
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| Name |
John Francis Morris |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
64 Boundary Street, Liverpool
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| Country |
England
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| Notes |
Date of birth not recorded on file
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| Notes |
Date of death not recorded on file
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| Associated files in MSPA |
34SP48074
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| Civilian occupation |
Shop employee;
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| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
None |
| Pension Claim |
Yes |
| Award Pension |
No |
| Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF46833 John Francis Morris.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34SP48074 John Francis Morris.pdf |
| File dates |
20 August 1935 - 10 February 1942
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| Subject Information |
File relates to John Francis Morris’s unsuccessful application for a military service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934. Subject unsuccessfully applied for service with the IRA in the periods between 01 April 1919 and 30 September 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce Period and Civil War.
John Francis Morris states that his family lived and ran a grocery shop at 64 Boundary Street, Liverpool near the docks. From 1917, he claims that the premises was used to storing arms and ammunition in small quantities.
Subject states that he joined the Liverpool Battalion, IRA in late 1919 and served during the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921) under the command of Michael O’Leary (24SP10288), Thomas Kerr, Peter Rowland (MSP34REF17726), Hugh Early (MSP34REF746) and Denis Fleming (MSP34REF27355). It is stated on file that a back area in the premises was used to store arms and ammunition that were delivered from London and Birmingham before transfer to boats in Liverpool Docks sailing to Dublin, Sligo, Limerick, Drogheda and Cork. Subject states that he also carried material to and from ships. He mentions that another clearing house in the city was Courtney’s. Applicant claims that his house was raided five times but the police never discovered any material. References state that the applicant’s two unnamed brothers were also active in similar work.
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War, John Francis Morris states that he was engaged in similar activity under the command of Denis Fleming, William Horan (MSP34REF20881) (up to March 1923) and Ambrose Bettridge (MSP34REF36970) (April 1923 onwards). He claims that Liverpool IRA officer Neill Kerr offered jobs to him [and his brothers] in the National Army/Irish Free State and told them to “stop storing stuff”. When the family refused and continued to work alongside IRA forces, John Francis Morris claims that Neill Kerr informed the authorities and their house was raided by Inspector Moore (later head of CID in Liverpool). Subject states that he was active until 1925.
File includes typed statement and summary of sworn evidence given by the applicant before the Advisory Committee on 30 June 1937; references in support of subject’s application from Denis Fleming (1937-1938) and handwritten notes of discussion with IRA verifying officer Dr Patrick Daly (31 January 1938), William Horan (21 April 1938), [Dr Patrick] Daly and [Hugh] Early (17 September 1938) and [Dr Patrick] Daly, [Hugh] Early and [William] Horan (20 September 1940).
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