The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (402679) Sergeant Morris Solomon, No. 1404 Meteorological Flight (RAF), RAAF, Second World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Richard Cruise, the story for this day was on (402679) Sergeant Morris Solomon, No. 1404 Meteorological Flight (RAF), RAAF, Second World War.

402679 Sergeant Morris Solomon, No. 1404 Meteorological Flight (RAF), RAAF
Killed in aircraft accident 21 July 1942

Story delivered 3 December 2017

Today we remember and pay tribute to Sergeant Morris Solomon.

Affectionately known as “Morrie”, Morris Solomon was born on 21 June 1919, the eldest son of Samuel and Rose Victoria Solomon of Double Bay, Sydney.

Solomon attended Coogee Preparatory School, and then the prestigious Scots College, where he was involved in football, rowing, and tennis. He served for three years with Scotts College Cadet Corps, and went on to join the 9th Field Brigade.
Solomon also studied accountancy and bookkeeping , and was working as a warehouseman and salesman before the outbreak of the Second World War.

In early May 1940 Morris attended the RAAF Recruiting Centre at Woolloomooloo, applying to join as an air crew member.

By September he had been accepted, and enlisted as a member of the Citizen Air Force a few months after turning 21.

After attending initial training school at Lindfield, he had a period of pre-embarkation leave to say goodbye to family and friends before leaving Sydney on 22 February 1941.

He first travelled to Canada, where he trained as a wireless air gunner. At the end of his course in September, he was promoted to sergeant. A fortnight later he was transferred and attached to the Royal Air Force in England.
After some time with No. 6 Operational Training Unit at RAF Thornaby, where he trained in Lockheed Hudsons, he joined his new unit on 17 March 1942 at RAF St Eval in Cornwall.

1404 Meteorological Flight flew daily meteorological reconnaissance off the south-west coast of England in lightly-armed Lockheed Hudsons.

Their courses flew within range of German fighter bases, with paths being determined daily in order to reduce the risk of interception.

As other flying operations depended on their weather reports, they crew were obliged to operate in practically all weathers. It was sometimes said that they would operate when “even the birds were walking”.

On 21 July 1942, the Lockheed in which Morris was a crewmember was returning to base when it encountered low cloud and was unable to land. It was directed to land further south, but the aircraft instead followed the coast northwards, flying at low altitude. While still in cloud, the aircraft crashed into the cliffs at Kellan Head. All four crewmembers were killed, including Sergeant Morris, who had just turned 23.

He was buried at Plymouth Jewish Cemetery, underneath a headstone that reads, “Beloved and pleasant in life. In death not divided”.

The Hebrew Standard of Australasia published a letter from Reverend Wolfson, conveying to Solomon’s parents
profound sympathy in their tragic and grievous loss. Let this be their consolation. Their son was deeply loyal to the country he served, a true patriot, and at the same time, a true son of Israel … His “Levayoh” was carried out according to Jewish rites. At the cemetery, the bearers were six sergeants from his station, as well as five Jewish boys with whom he was very friendly … Kaddish was said by the Chaplain for the area.

Morris Solomon’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among almost 40,000 Australians who died while serving in the Second World War. His photograph is displayed beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Sergeant Morris Solomon, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Duncan Beard
Editor, Military History Section (written with the assistance of information provided by Raymond Batkin)