| Robert John Morrow was the son of Edward and Sarah Morrow. He was born about 1914.
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| Known family: Edward Morrow. Sarah Morrow, Robert John Morrow (born about 1914), Thomas Morrow.
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| Robert Morrow joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers around 1933.
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| Fusilier Morrow saw service in Palestine, Egypt and India.
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| He went with the Expeditionary Force to France in 1939, served in Norway and was also in the Dunkirk evacuation. He also took part in the Italian campaign.
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| Fusilier Morrow joined the Commandos on their formation (around June 1940), taking part in many raids on enemy territory, and was also in action in the invasion of France.
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| Commando Robert Morrow is officially listed as being with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, but was actually with No 2 Troop of 6 Commando.
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| On 23rd March 1945, as part of Operation Plunder, the Commandos were involved in raids across the Rhine, a day before the main action to cross the Rhine. Commando Robert Morrow died while his unit was crossing the Rhine at Wesel in a power driven assault craft when. It got into difficulties and sank. Only six survivors were picked up.
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| On two other occasions Commando Morrow had been posted as missing, but had survived.
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| From the Impartial Reporter dated 10th May 1945: Death Notice
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| MORROW – on active service on 23rd March 1945, Robert (Bobbie), 6th Commando. Missing, presumed drowned, when power driven assault craft sank on crossing Rhine. Very deeply regretted by his loving brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Ruby. Also little nephews and nieces, Carngart, Clabby.
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‘His King and country called him,
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The call was not in vain,
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On Ulster’s Roll of Honour,
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You will find our brother’s name.’
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| From the Impartial Reporter dated 10th May 1945:
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| The many friends of Commando Morrow (Bobby) in the Cabby district, have heard with deep regret of his death in action while crossing the Rhine. It appears that the assault craft which carried him and his companions suddenly sank in midstream, and that only six survivors were picked up. When he was first posted missing, everyone at home thought that he would turn up again, as he had one on two other occasions, when so posted.
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| Commando Robert Morrow joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers twelve years ago and saw foreign service in Palestine, Egypt and India. He went with the Expeditionary Force to France in 1939, served in Norway and was also in the Dunkirk evacuation. He also took part in the Italian campaign.
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| He joined the Commandos on their formation, taking part in many raids on enemy territory, and was also in action in the invasion of France. Commando Morrow was, in the words of his commanding officer, ‘an old soldier of the very best type, quiet keen, efficient and completely dependable – one of the really steady men, that makes up the backbone of a troop.’
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| Fusilier Robert John Morrow is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
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| Commando Morrow is commemorated locally on Fivemiletown War Memorial.
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| Commando Robert John Morrow is listed on pages 108 and 109 of the Fivemiletown War Dead book. The photo of Commando Robert Morrow is taken from there. Many thanks to Mark Byers, author of the Fivemiletown War Dead book, for the information and images provided
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