Leslie Benjamin Morley

In Memory

Leslie Benjamin Morley

09/01/1929 - 13/08/1953

Les joined the Merchant Navy as an apprentice in 1946 at the age of 17 and by the time he was 24 he had become an Officer and sailed all over the world.

On 13 August 1953, he was on shore leave from the S.S. City of Derby which was docked in Basra, Iraq. Sadly, whilst ashore Les was involved in a tragic road accident and was killed along with a friend from the ship. He was buried that same day in the Basra War Cemetery (Civilian Section). We understand many of his fellow Officers attended the service and some acted as pall bearers.

We know that Les often went to the Flying Angel Mission when in Basra and spent his last evening with them. We are thankful to the Chaplain for conducting the funeral and his wife for representing the Morley family, in particular his sister and two brothers back in the UK.

Whilst Les’ brothers and sister have now also passed on, his story is fondly remembered by his nephews and nieces. We are proud of what he achieved in his sadly, all too short life.