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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Charles Richard Morley

In memory of:

Sergeant Charles Richard Morley

August 17, 1941

Military Service

Service Number:

R/69579

Age:

27

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

44 Sqdn.

Additional Information

Son of Second Lieutenant Frank William and Florence May Morley. His father died on October 9, 1918, while serving with The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).

Commemorated on Page 39 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Surrey, United Kingdom

Grave Reference:

Panel 61.

Location:

During the Second World War more than 116,000 men and women of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth gave their lives in service. More than 17,000 of these were members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, or Canadians serving with the Royal Air Force. Approximately one-third of all who died have no known grave. Of these, 20,450 are commemorated by name on the Runnymede Memorial, which is situated at Englefield Green, near Egham, 32 kilometers by road west of London.

The design of the Runnymede Memorial is original and striking. On the crest of Cooper's Hill, overlooking the Thames, a square tower dominates a cloister, in the centre of which rests the Stone of Remembrance. The cloistered walks terminate in two lookouts, one facing towards Windsor, and the other towards London Airport at Heathrow. The names of the dead are inscribed on the stone reveals of the narrow windows in the cloisters and the lookouts. They include those of 3,050 Canadian airmen. Above the three-arched entrance to the cloister is a great stone eagle with the Royal Air Force motto, Per Ardua ad Astra". On each side is the inscription:

IN THIS CLOISTER ARE RECORDED THE NAMES OF TWENTY THOUSAND AIRMEN WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE. THEY DIED FOR FREEDOM IN RAID AND SORTIE OVER THE BRITISH ISLES AND THE LANDS AND SEAS OF NORTHERN AND WESTERN EUROPE

In the tower a vaulted shrine, which provides a quiet place for contemplation, contains illuminated verses by Paul H. Scott."

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Soldiers' Tower Memorial– The Soldiers’ Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were carved in the Memorial Arch at the Tower’s base. In total, almost 1200 names are inscribed. A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers’ Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations.

    Details

    Soldiers' Tower Memorial
    Soldiers' Tower Memorial – The Soldiers’ Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were carved in the Memorial Arch at the Tower’s base. In total, almost 1200 names are inscribed. A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers’ Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial Arch– The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers’ Tower in 1949. The name of “Sgt C.R. Morley R.C.A.F.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

    Details

    Memorial Arch
    Memorial Arch – The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers’ Tower in 1949. The name of “Sgt C.R. Morley R.C.A.F.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial Room– Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

    Details

    Memorial Room
    Memorial Room – Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial Book– University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Published by the Soldiers’ Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 48 reads: Sgt Charles Richard MORLEY, RCAF, 44 Sqn RAF. Former student in University College, 1939. Missing, presumed dead, after an air operation overseas, 16 August 1941. Name inscribed on the Runnymede Memorial, Cooper’s Hill, Egham, Surrey, England.

    Details

    Memorial Book
    Memorial Book – University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Published by the Soldiers’ Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 48 reads: Sgt Charles Richard MORLEY, RCAF, 44 Sqn RAF. Former student in University College, 1939. Missing, presumed dead, after an air operation overseas, 16 August 1941. Name inscribed on the Runnymede Memorial, Cooper’s Hill, Egham, Surrey, England.
  • Knox College WWII plaque– This plaque is located in the chapel of Knox College along with a plaque for the First World War. Knox College is a seminary of The Presbyterian Church in Canada situated on the St. George campus of the University of Toronto. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

    Details

    Knox College WWII plaque
    Knox College WWII plaque – This plaque is located in the chapel of Knox College along with a plaque for the First World War. Knox College is a seminary of The Presbyterian Church in Canada situated on the St. George campus of the University of Toronto. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial– Inscription - Runnymede Memorial - April 2017 … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Inscription - Runnymede Memorial - April 2017 … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Sergeant Charles Richard Morley is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Sergeant Charles Richard Morley is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Sergeant Charles Richard Morley is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Sergeant Charles Richard Morley is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

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    Memorial
    Memorial – Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram April 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram April 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram April 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram April 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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