Howard Morris was born on September 19, 1921, the son of Lloyd David Morris and Marie Adams (nee Hickimbotham) Morris, of 568 North Christina Street, Sarnia. Howard’s father, Lloyd, was an employee of the Pumping Department at Sarnia Refinery. Howard received his education in Sarnia public schools and was a graduate of Sarnia Collegiate. He was a member of Central United Church and the Central Century Club. Howard was very interested in church affairs and, besides ushering on Sundays, one year was chosen Junior Member of the Board of Stewards. The construction of model aircraft was his favourite hobby, and he also enjoyed golf and badminton. He was very interested in hunting and camping and had belonged to a local Boy Scout Troop. For several years Howard played in Robinson’s and Pressey’s Boys’ Bands and, in the course of his musical career, had been awarded several medals. After graduating high school, he was employed at Woolworths and Sarnia Imperial Oil Limited Refinery.
Howard, single at the time, enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on August 6, 1941 and received his training at Toronto, Fingal, Goderich, Camp Borden, and the A.O.S. at Crumlin. At Crumlin, he received his Navigator Wings on September 25, 1942. For standing third in his class, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer. In early October of 1942, Howard Morris would spend a leave in Sarnia with his family and friends. In late October of 1942, parents Lloyd and Marie Morris in Sarnia would receive a cablegram from their son, telling of his safe arrival overseas. Shortly afterwards, Howard received his O.T.U. on Wellington bombers. Howard Morris attained the rank Navigator and was assigned to be a member of RCAF #426 Thunderbird squadron “On Wings of Fire”, flying Lancaster bombers. He was navigator for the C.O. of the Squadron, Wing Commander Crooks, until the Commanding Officer was killed.
In June of 1943, parents Lloyd and Marie Morris in Sarnia would receive news that their son Howard Paul Morris was promoted to Flying Officer from pilot officer. The RCAF #426 Thunderbird Squadron took part in many raids over Germany. On a December 16, 1943 raid over Berlin, Germany that Thunderbird Squadron took part in, 30 bombers were lost, including four of the RCAF. Howard Morris and the crew of Lancaster aircraft DS779 returned from the operations over Berlin, and the pilot let down through low cloud. The aircraft crashed at Hunsingore near Marston, Moor, Yorkshire, England.
Several days later, parents Lloyd and Marie Morris in Sarnia would receive a telegram from the R.C.A.F. Casualty office at Ottawa informing them that their son, Flying Officer Howard Paul Morris, was killed on December 16 while on active service overseas. No details of the air operation in which Howard was killed were given, but it was intimated that a letter would soon follow. Perishing with Howard Morris were WO. R.D. Stewart, and four RAF members. One Canadian, Sgt. Jamieson was injured. Howard Morris would later be officially listed as, Killed after air operations, overseas (England). Twenty-two year old Howard Morris is buried at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, Section C, Row G, Grave 6.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, M, N, O, S, 2C, 2D