Robert Morrow VC, of the First Battalion, The Princess Victoria’s Royal Irish Fusiliers, son of Hugh Morrow and his wife Margaret Jane McKnight, was born at Sessia, near Newmills, County Tyrone on 7 September 1891. He was educated at Carland National School, enlisted around 1910 and went to the Front with his battalion on the outbreak of the First World War.  He greatly distinguished himself at Messines on 12 April 1915, by rescuing many wounded soldiers who were lying exposed to considerably heavy enemy fire. 

For this he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the official record stating that it was granted: 

“.. for most conspicuous bravery near Messines on 12 April 1915, when he rescued and carried successively to places of comparative safety several men who had been buried in the debris of trenches wrecked by shell fire. Private Morrow carried out this gallant work on his own initiative, and under very heavy fire from the enemy”. 

On 25 April, barely a fortnight later, he was killed at St Julien while in the act of again aiding the wounded. He is buried in the White House Commonwealth Graves Cemetery, St Jean-Les-Ypres, in Belgium. 

The Emperor of Russia also conferred on him the medal of St George for his “...gallantry and distinguished service in the field”. The British War Office in forwarding the decoration stated that it was to be retained as a memorial of the deceased soldier’s distinguished conduct.

Born:	7 September 1891
Died:	26 April 1915