Arthur Wellesley Morrell
Encyclopedia
Paymaster-Captain Arthur Wellesley Morrell RN
(18 June 1862 to 1 August 1944) was a Freemason and British naval
pay officer who served during the latter part of the Victorian era
and through to the end of World War I, and who was also present at the Reconquest of the Sudan, the Relief of China, and the Blockade of Bangkok.
George Truman Morrell
, RN, and Ellen, and was a fourth-generation Royal Navy officer.
His uncle, who was also named Arthur, rose to become a Rear-Admiral, and his grandfather, another Arthur
, retired as a Captain. His great-grandfather, John Morrell, had been a lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
He had many siblings, including Patrick, who would go on to become a vicar
in Burton
, Chester
, and another, William, who would also join the navy. In his diaries, he wrote of occasionally encountering "Willie" while the two were serving at sea. His diaries also note his brother Douglas, who died in 1903, as serving in the navy.
Arthur married quite late life, marrying Beatrice Macdonnell Smith on 5 December 1911, aged 49. They had no known natural children of their own, but would adopt Douglas Wellesley Morrell
in 1917 or 1918. It is thought that the name Douglas was chosen to honour Arthur's brother, who died in 1903.
, No. 525 EC, a masonic lodge in Hong Kong, and had received correspondence from the Oriental Lodge, No. 687, in Constantinople
. In his diaries he wrote of attending Rose Croix ceremonies, and recorded the purchase of masonic accoutrements.
In 1878, he served as a clerk aboard HMS Triumph
. In 1893, he was aboard HMS Swift
during a blockade of Bangkok
. Three years later he found himself aboard HMS Melita
during an expedition up the Nile River to Dongola
, in Sudan
, during the Reconquest of Sudan by an Anglo-Egyptian force. He would be awarded the Khedive's Sudan Medal for this expedition, his known only foreign honour.
In 1900, he found himself a paymaster
aboard HMS Aurora
, when it was ordered to China
to aid in the eight-nation alliance that suppressed the Boxer Rebellion
. From his ship he saw first hand the taking of the Taku Forts
and wrote in his diaries of the action, detailing the battles and casualties.
After a lengthy period of serving in relative tranquility, Arthur found himself near the end of his career a Fleet Paymaster aboard HMS Leander
, then HMS President
, and finally HMS Impregnable
during World War I, for which he would earn his last three medals.
His career spanned 36 years of service at sea, and saw the end of the golden age of sail and the full transition to the steam-powered, steel ships of war. Although only a paymaster, he was considered a trusted senior officer, judging by comments noted on his service record. In 1894, the captain of HMS Galatea
described Arthur as having "done his work in a very efficient manner." Later that year, an Admiral
named Freemantle noted that he was "trustworthy and zealous." Captain Simons, of the HMS Melita
, called him "a capable paymaster, of good judgement."
He retired on 1 January 1921 and was in receipt of a naval pension
, initially £900 per year, and gradually reduced to £814 at the time of his death in 1944.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
(18 June 1862 to 1 August 1944) was a Freemason and British naval
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
pay officer who served during the latter part of the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
and through to the end of World War I, and who was also present at the Reconquest of the Sudan, the Relief of China, and the Blockade of Bangkok.
Family
Arthur Wellesley Morrell was born 18 June 1862 the eldest child of CommanderCommander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
George Truman Morrell
George Truman Morrell
Commander George Truman Morrell RN was a British naval, officer and explorer active during the Victorian era.-Early years:...
, RN, and Ellen, and was a fourth-generation Royal Navy officer.
His uncle, who was also named Arthur, rose to become a Rear-Admiral, and his grandfather, another Arthur
Arthur Fleming Morrell
Arthur Fleming Morrell was British naval officer, explorer, and colonial administrator of Ascension Island, who saw service spanning the end of the Napoleonic era and well into the Victorian era.- Early naval career :...
, retired as a Captain. His great-grandfather, John Morrell, had been a lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
He had many siblings, including Patrick, who would go on to become a vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
in Burton
Burton
- Canada :* Burton, British Columbia* Burton, New Brunswick* Burton, Ontario* Burtons, Nova Scotia* Burton, Durham Region, Ontario* Burton, Parry Sound District, Ontario* Burton, Prince Edward Island* Lac-Burton, Quebec* Burton Lake, Saskatchewan- England :...
, Chester
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
, and another, William, who would also join the navy. In his diaries, he wrote of occasionally encountering "Willie" while the two were serving at sea. His diaries also note his brother Douglas, who died in 1903, as serving in the navy.
Arthur married quite late life, marrying Beatrice Macdonnell Smith on 5 December 1911, aged 49. They had no known natural children of their own, but would adopt Douglas Wellesley Morrell
Douglas Wellesley Morrell
Douglas Wellesley Morrell CBE, was an English electrical engineer and deputy managing director of Racal.-Education and Early Life:...
in 1917 or 1918. It is thought that the name Douglas was chosen to honour Arthur's brother, who died in 1903.
Masonic Involvement
It is thought that Arthur was active in freemasonry. In particular, he is known to have been addressed as "Bro. Arthur Morrell" by the Zetland LodgeZetland Hall
Zetland Hall is the name given to two buildings in Hong Kong, one historic, the other modern. Both have housed Masonic Lodges.-The original Zetland Hall:...
, No. 525 EC, a masonic lodge in Hong Kong, and had received correspondence from the Oriental Lodge, No. 687, in Constantinople
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
. In his diaries he wrote of attending Rose Croix ceremonies, and recorded the purchase of masonic accoutrements.
Career
Arthur joined the Royal Navy at age 14 as an assistant clerk on 15 January 1877.In 1878, he served as a clerk aboard HMS Triumph
HMS Triumph
Ten ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Triumph. Another was planned, but renamed before being launched: was a 68-gun galleon built in 1561. She was rebuilt in 1596, and sold in 1618. was a 44-gun ship launched in 1623 and broken up in 1687. was a 90-gun second rate ship of the line...
. In 1893, he was aboard HMS Swift
HMS Swift
HMS Swift is the name of numerous ships of the British Royal Navy: was a 10-gun ship that was launched 1697 and ran aground off Port Comfort, Virginia in 1698. was a sloop-of-war of the Swift group, built in 1704 and sold in 1719. See List of corvette and sloop classes of the Royal Navy for this...
during a blockade of Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
. Three years later he found himself aboard HMS Melita
HMS Melita
Three ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Melita, named after the island of Malta:, launched in 1888 was a Mariner-class composite screw sloop, the only Royal Navy warship ever built in Malta. She swapped names with HMS Ringdove in 1915 and was sold as a salvage vessel to Falmouth Docks...
during an expedition up the Nile River to Dongola
Dongola
Dongola , also spelled Dunqulah, and formerly known as Al 'Urdi, is the capital of the state of Northern in Sudan, on the banks of the Nile. It should not be confused with Old Dongola, an ancient city located 80 km upstream on the opposite bank....
, in Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
, during the Reconquest of Sudan by an Anglo-Egyptian force. He would be awarded the Khedive's Sudan Medal for this expedition, his known only foreign honour.
In 1900, he found himself a paymaster
Paymaster
A paymaster often is, but is not required to be, a lawyer . When dealing with commission payments on contracts dealing with large amounts of money , most banks in the United States are very wary of handling such large amounts of money...
aboard HMS Aurora
HMS Aurora
Eleven ships of the Royal Navy have been called HMS Aurora or HMS Aurore, after the Roman Goddess of the dawn. was a 32-gun fifth rate, formerly the French Abenakise. She was captured in 1757 and broken up in 1763. was a 32-gun fifth rate launched in 1766 and lost to a fire in 1770. was a 28-gun...
, when it was ordered to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
to aid in the eight-nation alliance that suppressed the Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
. From his ship he saw first hand the taking of the Taku Forts
Taku Forts
The Dagu Forts , also called the Peiho Forts are forts located by the Hai River estuary, in Tanggu District, Tianjin municipality, in northeastern China. They are located 60 km southeast of the Tianjin urban center.-History:The first fort was built during the reign of the Ming Jiajing...
and wrote in his diaries of the action, detailing the battles and casualties.
After a lengthy period of serving in relative tranquility, Arthur found himself near the end of his career a Fleet Paymaster aboard HMS Leander
HMS Leander
Six ships of the Royal Navy, have been named HMS Leander after the Greek hero Leander: was a 52-gun fourth rate launched in 1780. She was captured by the French in 1798, but was recaptured by the Russians in 1799 and returned. She was renamed HMS Hygeia in 1813 while being used as a medical depot,...
, then HMS President
HMS President
Five ships and one shore establishment of the Royal Navy have been named HMS President, after the office of president meaning one who presides over an assembly...
, and finally HMS Impregnable
HMS Impregnable
Two ships and two establishments of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Impregnable:-Ships: was a 98-gun second rate. This ship of the line was launched in 1786 and wrecked in 1799. was a 98-gun second-rate launched in 1810...
during World War I, for which he would earn his last three medals.
His career spanned 36 years of service at sea, and saw the end of the golden age of sail and the full transition to the steam-powered, steel ships of war. Although only a paymaster, he was considered a trusted senior officer, judging by comments noted on his service record. In 1894, the captain of HMS Galatea
HMS Galatea
HMS Galatea, after the Galatea of mythology, has been the name of eight ships in the British Royal Navy.*HMS Galatea was a 20-gun sixth-rate post-ship launched in 1776 and broken up in 1783....
described Arthur as having "done his work in a very efficient manner." Later that year, an Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
named Freemantle noted that he was "trustworthy and zealous." Captain Simons, of the HMS Melita
HMS Melita
Three ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Melita, named after the island of Malta:, launched in 1888 was a Mariner-class composite screw sloop, the only Royal Navy warship ever built in Malta. She swapped names with HMS Ringdove in 1915 and was sold as a salvage vessel to Falmouth Docks...
, called him "a capable paymaster, of good judgement."
He retired on 1 January 1921 and was in receipt of a naval pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
, initially £900 per year, and gradually reduced to £814 at the time of his death in 1944.
Ships
Arthur served aboard the following ships during his career in the Royal Navy:- 1878, HMS DuncanHMS DuncanSeven Royal Navy ships have been named HMS Duncan, after Admiral Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan of Camperdown, hero of the Battle of Camperdown....
, assistant clerk - 1878, HMS Duke of WellingtonHMS Duke of WellingtonHMS Duke of Wellington was a 131-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. Launched in 1852, she was symptomatic of an era of rapid technological change in the navy, being powered both by sail and steam...
, assistant clerk - 1878-1883, HMS TriumphHMS TriumphTen ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Triumph. Another was planned, but renamed before being launched: was a 68-gun galleon built in 1561. She was rebuilt in 1596, and sold in 1618. was a 44-gun ship launched in 1623 and broken up in 1687. was a 90-gun second rate ship of the line...
, clerk - 1884-1885, HMS Swiftshure, assistant paymaster
- 1886, HMS Triumph, assistant paymaster
- 1888-1890, HMS OrontesHMS OrontesFour ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Orontes: was a 36-gun fifth rate, built as HMS Brilliant but renamed HMS Orontes in 1812 and launched in 1813. She was broken up in 1817. was an iron screw troopship launched in 1862 and sold for breaking up in 1893.*HMS Orontes was the former...
, assistant paymaster - 1890, HMS HydraHMS HydraSeven ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Hydra, after the Lernaean Hydra of Greek mythology: was a 24-gun sixth-rate launched in 1778 and sold in 1783. was a 38-gun fifth-rate launched in 1797. She was used as a troopship from 1812 and was sold in 1820. was a wooden steam paddle sloop...
, assistant paymaster - 1890, HMS Orontes, assistant paymaster
- 1890-1894, HMS SwiftHMS SwiftHMS Swift is the name of numerous ships of the British Royal Navy: was a 10-gun ship that was launched 1697 and ran aground off Port Comfort, Virginia in 1698. was a sloop-of-war of the Swift group, built in 1704 and sold in 1719. See List of corvette and sloop classes of the Royal Navy for this...
, assistant paymaster - 1894, HMS GalateaHMS GalateaHMS Galatea, after the Galatea of mythology, has been the name of eight ships in the British Royal Navy.*HMS Galatea was a 20-gun sixth-rate post-ship launched in 1776 and broken up in 1783....
, assistant paymaster - 1895, HMS PembrokeHMS PembrokeNine ships and a number of shore establishments of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Pembroke.-Ships: was a 28-gun ship launched in 1655 and lost in a collision off Portland in 1667. was a 32-gun fifth rate launched in 1690, captured by the French in 1694 and subsequently wrecked. was a 60-gun...
, paymaster - 1895-1896, HMS MelitaHMS MelitaThree ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Melita, named after the island of Malta:, launched in 1888 was a Mariner-class composite screw sloop, the only Royal Navy warship ever built in Malta. She swapped names with HMS Ringdove in 1915 and was sold as a salvage vessel to Falmouth Docks...
, paymaster - 1897-1905, HMS AuroraHMS AuroraEleven ships of the Royal Navy have been called HMS Aurora or HMS Aurore, after the Roman Goddess of the dawn. was a 32-gun fifth rate, formerly the French Abenakise. She was captured in 1757 and broken up in 1763. was a 32-gun fifth rate launched in 1766 and lost to a fire in 1770. was a 28-gun...
, paymaster - 1905-1907, HMS New ZealandHMS New ZealandTwo ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS New Zealand, after the country of New Zealand, a British Dominion, whilst a third was planned:...
, fleet paymaster - 1907, HMS VividHMS VividThree ships and two shore establishments of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Vivid:-Ships: was a wood paddle packet launched in 1848 and sold in 1894. was an iron screw yacht purchased from civilian service in 1891, where she had been named Capercailzie. She became the Devonport base ship in...
, fleet paymaster - 1907, HMS VictoryHMS VictoryHMS Victory is a 104-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, laid down in 1759 and launched in 1765. She is most famous as Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805....
, fleet paymaster - 1907-1908, HMS VenerableHMS VenerableFour ships of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Venerable:* The first Venerable, launched in 1784, was a 74-gun third-rate. She was Admiral Adam Duncan's flagship at the Battle of Camperdown and was wrecked in 1804....
, fleet paymaster - 1909-1911, HMS HannibalHMS HannibalHMS Hannibal was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the British Royal Navy, launched on 15 April 1786, named after the Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca. She is best known for having run aground during the first part of the Battle of Algeciras Bay on 5 July 1801, which resulted in her capture...
, fleet paymaster - 1911, HMS Vivid, fleet paymaster
- 1911-1913, HMS AriadneHMS AriadneEight ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Ariadne, after the Greek goddess: was a 20-gun post ship launched in 1776. She faced USS Alfred in 1778 and forced Alfred’s surrender. Ariadne was rebuilt in 1792 to carry 24 guns, and was sold in 1814. was an advice boat purchased in 1805. ...
, fleet paymaster - 1913-1915, HMS LeanderHMS LeanderSix ships of the Royal Navy, have been named HMS Leander after the Greek hero Leander: was a 52-gun fourth rate launched in 1780. She was captured by the French in 1798, but was recaptured by the Russians in 1799 and returned. She was renamed HMS Hygeia in 1813 while being used as a medical depot,...
, fleet paymaster - 1915-1916, HMS PresidentHMS PresidentFive ships and one shore establishment of the Royal Navy have been named HMS President, after the office of president meaning one who presides over an assembly...
, fleet paymaster - 1916-1918, HMS ImpregnableHMS ImpregnableTwo ships and two establishments of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Impregnable:-Ships: was a 98-gun second rate. This ship of the line was launched in 1786 and wrecked in 1799. was a 98-gun second-rate launched in 1810...
, fleet paymaster - 1918, HMS President, paymaster-commander
- 1918-1921, HMS President, paymaster-captain
Honours
Arthur attained the following honours and medals during his naval career, which spanned from 1877 until the end of World War I:- 1896, Khedive's Sudan Medal
- 1901, China MedalChina War Medal (1900)The China War Medal 1900 was a British campaign medal approved in 1901 for issue to British and Imperial land and sea troops who fought during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900...
- 1914-1915 Star1914-15 StarThe 1914-15 Star was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War I.The 1914-15 Star was approved in 1918, for issue to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served in any theatre of the War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 .Recipients of this medal also...
- 1918, British War MedalBritish War MedalThe British War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War I.The medal was approved in 1919, for issue to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who had rendered service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918...
- 1918, Victory MedalVictory MedalVictory Medal, also referred to as the "Inter-Allied Victory Medal", can refer to one of the following World War I medals:-World War I Victory medals:*Victory Medal *World War I Victory Medal...