The British War Medal and Victory Medal pair issued to 2/Lt Lewis Allison Morison, who was wounded in the head on 15th September 1916 during the Battle of Flers-Courcellette.

 

Lewis Morison was born 28th June 1891 at Dunedin, New Zealand. Son of George and Sophia Louise Morison (née Williams).  He was educated at Otago Boys High School and was served with 4th (Otago) Regiment. At the time of his enlistment in the NZEF in 1915,  Morison was working as a clerk for Dunedin retailer Bing, Harris and Co.  He was inititally posted to the NZ Field Artillery, but transferred to the Otago Infantry Battalion later in 1915. He embarked with the 7th Reinforcments, and served in Egypt before transferring to the Western Front in April 1916.

 

In August 1916, whilst serving with 4th (Otago) Company, 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment, he was commissioned 2nd lieutenant. During the NZ Division's attack at Flers on 15th September 1916, Morison suffered a gunshot wound to the head. He was evacuated to the UK. The following month he was returned to New Zealand, and was discharged in April 1917.

 

In 1918 he successfully reenlisted and embarked with the 38th Reinforcements in the rank of 2nd lieutenant. It seem his health wasn't actually fully recovered and he was invalided back to New Zealand in December having not seen further service in the field. He received the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service.

 

After the war, Morison worked as an accountant and raised a family of five children with his wife Mollie. Lewis Morison died in March 19154 in Christchurch.

 

Both medals are correctly impressed 8/2823 2/LT. L.A. MORISON. N.Z.E.F. The 1914/15 is not with the group.

Large service file held at Archives New Zealand

Small service file held at Archives New Zealand