George was born in Drumlough, County Down. The son of George and Anna Morrow and the eldest of six children (Waddell (1879), Sara and Susan (Twins 1880), Thomas (1881) and Agnus (1890)). He married Isabella Kennedy from Conor, Co. Antrim in Belfast on April 8th 1901, where he worked as a grocer, at Ekenhead Prebyterian Church. Their children Waddell and Robert were born here before they moved to Greenock  c.1906 living at 9 Helen Street. Their children Thomas and Anne were born in Greenock. George worked for Messrs Russell & Co. at their Kingston Yard as a Gateman before the war. 

George’s brother Waddell was married with one son and at the start of the war joined the North Irish Horse before transferring to the Canadian Regiment c1916 and served with them. One of their famous battles was Vimy Ridge 9 – 12 April 1917, a battle which Waddell fought in. His other brother Thomas had decided in 1912 to join his brother Waddell in Canada and acquired a ticket to travel on what is now known as the first and final voyage of RMS Titanic, a voyage which he sadly did not survive.

George enlisted on October 5th 1914 and became a gunner stationed at Fort Matilda. As a Gunner he was tasked with protecting the river Clyde and Port Glasgow from attack, so he held an important and strategic position. 

In 1914, George developed pneumonia from sitting on the gun encampment on the cold, wet and long days and nights. He died at home on December 14th having served all of the war at home. George was buried at Port Glasgow with full military honours. His coffin was shrouded with the Union Jack and his cap was placed on top. His former comrades marched with their arms reversed in his honour and  in marked contrast to how the arms of most soldiers were being used in warfare. And the way to Port Glasgow Cemetery was lined with sympathetic supporters paying their respects. Grave Reference H7.33.

Unlike other soldiers, for unknown reasons, Georges name was never etched into any war memorial. However, in a special ceremony on September 20th 2014 his name will be etched into the memorial at Rathriland, Country Down near the town of his birth. Finally his name will be remembered.

Newspaper Clippings relating to George Morrow

George Morrow