KENNETH VICTOR MORPHEW

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Born: 1919, Ipswich.

Died: 8th August 1944; age: 25; KiA at Cormelles-le-Royal, Normandy.

Residence: 263, Wherstead Road, Ipswich.

Occupation: Bricklayer.

Rank: Trooper; Service Number: 7958625.

Regiment: Royal Armoured Corps, 144th (8th Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment) Regiment.

The body was originally buried at Cormelles. On the 9th August 1945, the body was exhumed, identified and reburied at Bretteville-sur-Laize War Cemetery.

Grave Reference:

XXII.B.3.

Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery,

Calvados,

France.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of William & Alice Maud Morphew, of Ipswich.

Father: William Morphew, born March 1868, Ipswich.

Mother: Alice Maud Morphew (nee Jessop), born May 1878, Ipswich – died 1945, Ipswich.

Alice Morphew was first married in 1895, Ipswich, to Charles Thomas Aldred, a bricklayer. They had 4 children together. Charles served in the South African Boer War. On his return from the war, he discovered that Alice had left him for William Morphew. Charles took to drink and drank his way through the £30 given to him on his return from the war, he left his children hopelessly neglected. He was given help and advice from the N.S.P.C.C. and the police. But Charles continued to drink heavily. In April 1903, the Mayor of Ipswich, Mr. William John Catchpole, Esq., sent Charles to prison, and the three surviving children were sent to St. John’s Home, a children’s workhouse.

Charles Aldred died in 1942, Ipswich.

Alice and William married in 1916 in Ipswich.

CENSUS

1921   25, Austin Street, Ipswich.

Kenneth was 2 years & 1 month old and lived with his parents and siblings.

William Morphew, 56 years & 4 months old, a Quay Labourer at Ipswich Docks.

Alice Morphew, 42 years & 1 month old, Home Duties.

Nelson Aldred Morphew, 15 years & 8 months old, an Errand Boy for Burton & Sons & Sanders, College Street, St. Peter’s, Ipswich, born Ipswich.

Dorothy Evelyn Aldred Morphew, 14 years & 9 months old, an Almond Blancer, born Ipswich.

Henry Thomas Aldred Morphew, 13 years & 8 months old, at School, born Ipswich.

Edward G. Aldred Morphew, 8 years & 8 months old, at School, born Ipswich.

Hilda Aldred Morphew, 7 years & 3 months old, at School, born Ipswich.

Ruby Irene Morphew, 4 years & 5 months old, born Ipswich.

Winifred Christabel Morphew, 4 months old, born Ipswich.

ENGLAND and WALES REGISTER 1939

Kenneth was employed as a Bricklayer. He lived with his parents and brother at the family home – 263, Wherstead Road, Ipswich.

William, a retired Dock Labourer.

Alice, unpaid Domestic Duties.

Edward Morphew, a General Labourer.

Kenneth is also remembered on the war memorial at St Mary at Stoke Church, Ipswich, and commemorated at the British Normandy Memorial, virtually opened by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, on the 6^th June 2021.

The 144th Regiment RAC began to land in Normandy on 14 June 1944, entering the harbour near Bayeux. To support the fighting around Villers-Bocage (13–16 June) from the 8th July, the 144 RAC took part in Operation Pomegranate and the attack on Noyers. 144 RAC had 20 tanks disabled, mostly by ‘friendly’ mines. In three days’ fighting, 144 RAC lost 13 officers and other ranks killed, 9 missing, and 61 wounded. The 144 RAC using Sherman tanks continued to operate in the area, supporting the Infantry.