George Morris’s naval record claims that he was born on 29 March 1883 at Lambeth, London, although the Register of Births shows a year later.  He was the son of Nelson Morris, a builder’s labourer, and his wife Jane (née Read), and had two younger sisters, Mary Ann (b.1889) and Emma (b.1892).  

Having previously been an errand boy, he joined the Royal Navy in August 1898 at HMS IMPREGNABLE, the Devonport Boys’ Training Ship. He undertook further training in HMS GANGES (then at Falmouth) and the armoured frigates HMS MINOTAUR and AGINCOURT before joining the pre-dreadnought battleship HMS MAJESTIC.  After a draft to the armoured cruiser HMS AMPHITRITE where he was rated Able Seaman in February 1903, he undertook torpedo training in HMS ACTAEON (attached to HMS VERNON) and then joined the submarine depot ship HMS THAMES in January 1907. He requested Discharge By Purchase in November 1910 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve at Chatham.

In the 1911 census, he is recorded at Walworth, SE London. as a Telephone Fitter working for the General Post Office, with wife Elizabeth (Bessie) (née Hennessy) whom he had married four years previously, and with two children, George Henry (2) and Bessie Mary (9 months).

On the outbreak of WW1, he was recalled to service at HMS DOLPHIN on 2 August 1914, and subsequently drafted to the new submarine HMS E15, commanded by Lieut Cdr T S Brodie (q.v.). E15 completed her sea trials and joined the 8th Submarine Flotilla, based at Harwich (depot ship HMS MAIDSTONE) on 5 November 1914.

George Morris was lost overboard from E15 later that month, but further details are unknown.

He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.