Basil Morris
| Basil Moorhouse Morris | |
|---|---|
Major General Basil Morris in
Port Moresby, New Guinea, July 1942 |
|
| Born |
19 December 1888 East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 5 April 1975 (aged 86) Beaconsfield Upper, Victoria, Australia |
| Allegiance |
 Australia
|
| Service/branch |
Australian Army
|
| Years of service | 1910–1946 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | New Guinea Force |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order |
Major General Basil Moorhouse Morris CBE, DSO (19 December 1888 – 5 April 1975) was an Australian Army officer. He served in both the First and Second World Wars. In 1942, he was the Australian military administrator at Port Moresby at the start of the Imperial Japanese advance along the Kokoda Track after the invasion of Buna-Gona and successfully delayed the Japanese advance until Second Australian Imperial Forces arrived.
Basil Morris was born on 19 December 1888 at East Melbourne, Victoria, to William Edward Morris and Clara Elizabeth, née French. Through his mother, he was related to Sir John French, a prominent banker in New South Wales. He was educated at Church of England Grammar School and after finishing school spent a year at the University of Melbourne. He joined the Melbourne Cavalry and was later commissioned into the Royal Australian Artillery on 1 December 1910.
Morris volunteered for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) after the commencement of the First World War. He was promoted to lieutenant in May 1915 and was posted to 'O' Siege Brigade (soon to be designated 36th (Australian) Heavy Artillery Group). He served on the Western Front from February 1916, firstly with the 55th Battery of the 36th Heavy Artillery Group and then from November 1917 with the headquarters of the 5th Divisional Artillery. Promoted to major, from September 1918 he commanded 114th Howitzer Battery. He participated in the Hundred Days Offensive and for his leadership of his battery during this period he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He was also mentioned three times in dispatches.
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