Sapper Thomas Smithson Morfitt

Son of Albert and Harriet (née Smithson) Morfitt. He married Susannah Hanson on 5 March, 1893. His trade in England was Brass Finisher. They had three children, a son Thomas Albert (born 8 April 1896) and daughter Harriet May (born 29 September 1900) and Benjamin, who died in infancy. His wife Susannah died 18 January 1908, shortly after the birth of Benjamin. Later in 1908, Sapper Morfitt immigrated to Canada with his son and daughter settling in Edmonton, Alberta. On 6 December 1913 he married Clara Dutton. Thomas Smithson Morfitt was a very strong willed and determined man. He enlisted in the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force at the age of 50. Thomas Smithson Morfitt lied on his Attestation Paper and said he was 40, probably to be closer to his son Thomas Albert who had enlisted against his father's wishes. He was a very short wiry built man measuring 5' 1/2" tall. He died 22 November 1917 of chest wounds. A letter was written to his wife by Lt.Col. Macdonald stating 'I regret to say that your husband received severe wounds from a shell on 22 November about noon. He had instant attention from a Field Ambulance, but died at 5:45 p.m. the same day. He was on duty at the time when the shell burst close to him. I much regret his loss as he was a man that always did his duty. He was given a military funeral and was buried by a Church of England Chaplain.