Write Where I Belong-Looking for hero’s family

By Bernard Mendelman, August 22nd, 2012

While searching for an item on Craigslist, the classified advertisements website, I came upon on the following posting: I live in Pennsylvania. I found some personal items that belonged to Private Stanley Morgan. He lived in and joined the military in Montreal. He fought in WW1 and was killed overseas about a year after his enlistment. His body was buried in France. I would like to return the items to Private Morgan's family. If anyone can help locate anything, I'd really appreciate it. Intrigued by this, I contacted the poster. Following is an exchange of our e-mails: I write a weekly column in The Suburban, Quebec’s largest weekly newspaper and if you can supply me with details of what you found about this soldier, I would mention it in my column and that may help locate some family member or someone who knew him.
I received the following reply: Thank you very much for your response.  I found three items together. I found a “Dead Man’s Penny” with his name on it.  This was a bronze memorial plaque with the soldiers name on it. Along with that I found his British War Medal.  The edge of this medal is inscribed with his name, unit, and his regiment number.  I found all of these items together sitting on a counter top of an antique shop and they hadn’t been processed into the store’s inventory yet. I’ve done a bit of research, and I have found his picture, enlistment papers, and the location of his burial plot.  He was buried at the Adanac Military Cemetery, France (Plot I.E.36).  His name appears on page 138 of the “First Book of Remembrance” on display in France. I appreciate your help.
Thanks.
Tony Cooper
When examining the documents that Cooper attached I learned that Morgan was born on December 18, 1895. His father was Edward Morgan and the address of his father was listed as Canning Street, Montreal. He was 19 years and 9 months old when he enlisted. He was 5 foot, 7 inches tall. His complexion was dark. He had grey eyes and brown hair. He was not married. As for his religion he belonged to the Church of England. Before he enlisted he worked as a carter.
I then e-mailed Cooper and asked him to tell me something about himself.
This was his reply: I am a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy. My wife and I sometimes buy, sell and trade antiques and collectibles.  When we found items with Private Stanley Morgan’s name on them, I decided to do some research.  I was quite impressed with the information I was able to find on the “Veterans Affairs Canada” website.  After finding some information about the soldier, I started to think “Who could possibly let these items end up in a dusty old antique shop in the middle of nowhere in Pennsylvania?” I have to admit; I was a little angry.  There are still some of us out there that believe that life, death, family, and other worldly processions take a back seat to honour.  I told my wife that if my medals, awards, etc., end up in an old dusty antique shop, I will be back to haunt everyone for generations. Even though I bought it at an antique shop, I refuse to make a profit from these items.  If I could find a family member of the soldier that would take care and pass them down through generations and let no one forget the sacrifice this soldier made, then I would let them go.  If my search turns up empty, I will keep them myself.
Thankfully, there are some Good Samaritans like Tony Cooper still around. I know I may be looking for a needle in a haystack but since The Suburban reaches a vast audience through its printed and on-line editions (some who even read my column) I am hoping that we will find a member of Morgan’s family.
riben@videotron.ca