British Army Veterinary Corps
William Arthur MORRIN
Captain
Died 1 August 1918 · Aged 56
His story
Captain William Arthur Morrin was born at Petit Brûlé, Quebec, on 10 December 1861, the son of John and Agnes Morrin. He graduated in veterinary medicine from McGill University, Montreal, in 1895.
Morrin went to France in February 1915 and served with the Army Veterinary Corps attached to the 18th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He remained with the brigade for an extended period of active service.
On the night of 1 August 1918 he attempted to cross a road between vehicles in a convoy and was struck by a motor lorry. An inquest concluded that his death was accidental. Morrin was buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen.
His death was one of several among veterinary officers caused by wartime transport rather than enemy action, a reminder of the risks created by the increasingly motorised supply system in which the Army’s horse transport still operated.
Before the war
- Nationality
- Canadian
- Date of Birth
- 10 December 1861
- Place of Birth
- Petit Brule, Quebec, Canada
- Veterinary College and Date of Graduation
- McGill University - 1895
Military service
- Last Rank
- Captain
- Regiment/Service
- British Army Veterinary Corps
- Secondary Regiment
- Royal Field Artillery
- Secondary Unit
- 18th Brigade
- First Theatre of War
- France 18 February 1915
Medals and commemoration
- Name on RCVS Honour Board
- No
- Name In Officers who died in Great War
- No
- Medals and Awards
- 1915 Star; British War Medal 1914-1918; Victory Medal
Death and burial
- Date of Death
- 1 August 1918
- Age at Death
- 56
- Place of Death
- Rouen, France
- Cause of Death
- Struck by motor lorry when crossing road
- Cemetery
- St Sever Cemetery Extension
- Location
- Rouen, France
- Grave Reference
- B. 7. 2.
- Commonwealth War Grave
- Yes - CWGC Headstone
- Emblem or Badge on Headstone
- British Army Veterinary Corps
Sources and further reading
Cite this biography
Graham Hodgkins and Pete Matthews, “William Arthur Morrin”, Veterinary Virtual War Memorial, https://vetsremembered.org/people/william_arthur_morrin/.
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