2nd Lt Stanley Holland Morter, 2nd Inniskillings

[emjayen]

I am researching the 2nd Inniskillings in 1915 and have come across this officer, but can find very few details about him. He is mentioned in the Regimental Journal as being Killed in Action on 5th June 1915. The following also appears in the local press:

The death of another officer of the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers is announced in the person of 2nd Lt Stanley Holland Morter, who was killed on the 5th June in France. Deceased was the only Child of the late Capt Percy Morter of the Gordon Highlanders(who was killed in action in December) and of Mrs Grace Morter, 18 Morningside Gardens, Edinburgh. He was educated at Birken head Institute, joined the Army since the outbreak of war and had only been at the front three weeks when he lost his life in his 19th year.

Here is where the mystery starts. Neither Stanley or his father appear on CWGC website, Ancestry or London Gazette. Stanley's name does not appear on the Birkenhead Institute Roll of Honour, nor does he appear in Sandhurst records.

I have tried variations of the surname, Mortar/Mortor/Morten/Morton but to no avail.

Appreciate any ideas.

[jay dubaya]

Welcome to the forum emjayen,

ah the elusive SH Morter, you'd do well to read this

Jon

[emjayen]

Thanks for the reply Jon,

I am amazed (but not surprised) by the depth of research already carried out by Forum members.

My interest is in the Inniskillings at Festubert on 15/16 May 1915 and the elusive 2nd Lt Morter came to notice as a replacement for Officers killed in the battle - 'Three weeks at the front' fits.

At the risk of reopening this, one question jumps out at me. His details appear in the Roll of Honour in the Regimental Journal in July 1915. Surely if he did not exist some suspicions would have been aroused?

Strange.

Mike

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[sotonmate]

I haven't read all of the linked thread but have just looked at WO339 and WO 374 service records. There are MORTERS there but not a Stanley Holland .

[emjayen]

Thanks for that. I am in touch with the Inniskillings museum to see if they can shed more light on this. Will post any results!