Morse, Richard Victor, DSO (Major, b.1885 - d.1925)

Collection relating to the service of Major Richard Victor Morse, DSO, Mining Corps, AIF, at sea, France, 1916-1919. Collection consists of eight letters [original] written by Major Morse to his wife and photostat copies of 56 letters from Morse to his wife. The collection also contains a photostat copy of a letter written by Captain Stanley Burrell Hunter to Mrs. Morse. Copies made by Australian War Memorial.

Letters record the voyage to England and active service in France. Major Morse comments on the failure of the conscription referenda and the industrial problems in Australia. He also writes of the difficulty of obtaining Australian Comforts Fund goods for his men, the award of his DSO and the indiscipline of some of his troops at the end of the war. Morse's letters contain numerous comments on his feelings of homesickness and loneliness.

Biographical note: Major Richard Victor Morse, DSO, Commander of the Australian Electrical & Mechanical Mining and Boring Company, AIF, who died at Leeton, New South Wales, on 26 January 1925. Other biographical details concerning him are : mechanical & electrical engineer; of Rockdale and Mosman, NSW; born Rockdale, 4 September 1885; joined the Mining Corps of the AIF on 15 January 1916 and was appointed Captain; on 7 July 1916 he transferred to the newly formed AEMMB Company and was promoted Major, 1 March 1917. AIF appointment terminated 12 January 1920.