Air Commodore EJ Morris

Links of Long Standing

Several joined well before war was declared including amongst others, TH Archbell, AS Ainslie, I Bocock, CBE Burt-Andrews GL Cruickshanks, G Chater, IB Difford, FA Harte, GDL Haysom, CB Hull, GLB Hull, AG “Sailor” Malan, EJ Morris, MT Pattle, H Rosofsky, JF Roulston RN Selley, HWL Sheahan CR Taylor and FL Watson.

Links of Long Standing

Pattle commissioned in 1936 after responding to a Johannesburg newspaper advertisement, EJ Morris, one of three “General Botha” graduates in that group, “………joined the RAF because of a strong desire to fly. This was stimulated by the fact that my brother, who was some six years older than I, had joined some years before and while I was sea, I met him in Hong Kong where he was enjoying himself as a pilot on the aircraft carrier ‘Eagle’. A secondary cause was the undoubtedly better life that the RAF offered in every way in those days at the end of the depression…” 10.

The First Ten Months

The Hawker Hurricane did not share the Fairey Battle and Blenheim’s performance and armament weaknesses but their pilots in France, including South African’s Flight Lt GDL Haysom, Flying Officer’s EJ Morris, Brian Van Mentz, PH Hugo, BP Young and Pilot Officer’s JJ le Roux and AG Lewis endured a baptism of fire against experienced Me 109 Luftwaffe pilots and intense combat conditions.

Against Unfavourable Odds

Flying Officer EJ Morris flew Hurricanes in France, but meningitis kept him out of the “Battle of Britain” until August. He shared shooting down an He59 on the 28th, parachuted after ramming an He 111 two days later, but injuries crash landing his No 79 Squadron Hurricane after combat the next day kept him off flying until January 1941. The former “General Botha” Cadet acquitted himself well during the war and retired from the RAF in 1968.

More than a “Few” South Africans

The Morris brothers were seven years apart, both attended St John’s College in Johannesburg, Edward the youngest was at Michaelhouse before St John’s but completed his education on the South African Training Ship “General Botha”. Doug joined the RAF in 1930, Edward, influenced by his brother’s pilot lifestyle, joined the RAF in 1937. Doug flew bombers, Edward flew fighters, both earned the “Distinguished Service Order” and “Distinguished Flying Cross”, remaining in service after the war. Air Marshal Sir Douglas Morris KCB CBE DSO DFC retired in 1966 and Air Commodore EJ Morris CB CBE DSO DFC in 1968.

The Airmen who started at Sea

Those present at the 1922 christening ceremony would not have anticipated that an illustrious group of Second World War airmen would emerge from the training facility’s tough two-year course. A few of those airmen, including CH Filmer, JS Simson, JW Sleigh, EJ Morris, and JD Nettleton are in this 1931 photograph with Nettleton also pictured as a young cadet.

The Airmen who started at Sea

Born in 1915, Edward James Morris left St John’s College to become “General Botha” Cadet No 630. He joined the RAF in 1937 was a No 79 Squadron pilot by 1939 and flew Hurricanes in France. Meningitis delayed his “Battle of Britain” involvement until August when he incurred combat injuries that kept him off flying for 5 months He commanded No 250 Squadron, flew Tomahawks, Kittyhawk’s and Spitfires in Italy and France as a Wing Leader and was awarded the “Distinguished Service Order”, “Distinguished Flying Cross” and the American “Distinguished Flying Cross”. One of two “General Botha” airmen who achieved “Air Officer” rank, Air Commodore EJ Morris CB CBE DSO DFC retired in 1968 after a 31-year RAF Career. He returned to South Africa, held senior positions in the private sector and died in 1999.

A Different Kind of Enemy Flak

He graduated from the “General Botha” two years later, spent several years at sea including time as a Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve Sub- Lieutenant and after training on Tiger Moths at the Filton Flying School, flew solo in early 1936. The RAF’s admission age had been raised to 25 enabling Malan’s commission several years ahead of General Botha “Battle of Britain” pilots James W Sleigh and E J Morris. Dubbed “Admiral” at No 3 Flying School, demoted to “Sailor” at No 74 Squadron, he was flying Spitfires by 1938.