Children of John Bowes and Bertha Morrell

01. Lydia Ruth Morrell (Dia)

1904-11-20T06:20	"At 30, St. Mary's, York, Bertha, wife of John Bowes Morrell, a daughter."	The British Friend XIII Dec:351; Bootham School Register; Mary Spence Watson's diary
1904-12-22	christened	Anne Vernon (1966) Three Generations. The Fortunes of a Yorkshire Family. London: Jarrolds
1911	living with family in 12 rooms at Burton Croft, York, with a head housemaid, a cook, and an under housemaid	TNA: RG14PN28413 RG78PN1626 RD517 SD2 ED30 SN74
1911-11	had scarlet fever	Mary Spence Watson's diary
1911-12-25	Our 2 children and Daisy and Nelly arrived about 3.30 and then Robin, Dia, Betty, Molly & Colin acted "Little Red Riding Hood" really very well indeed, but it was awfully funny. Robin was the wolf in a mask, and with my long fur for a tail, Betty a sweet little Red Riding Hood, Dia the grandmother, Molly the Mother and Colin the wood-cutter. At the end when R. & Betty were in bed together, they rolled off as an unexpected climax! R. was quite dramatic. Then Dia repeated a French poem and "I'm 7 years old today" and baby Marg. sat on a stool all alone and said very slowly stroking a toy cat "I love Zickie pussy", beaming on everyone in turn, though we thought feeling rather near tears and stupidly enough I could not help laughing, for I felt so nervous. Betty said "I once had a sweet little doll dears" very well.	Mary Spence Watson's diary
1911-12-31	played Red Ridinghood in a little performance at Christmas at Burton Croft	Frank Pollard, budget letter
1914-05-09	of Burton Croft, York; a new member of the Children's Guild	Derbyshire Courier
1915-01	of The Mansion House[, York]	Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books
1921	not found in census
1923-12-08/-11	of Burton Croft, York; with her mother, stayed with the Pollards at Whiteknights House, Reading
1924-10-01/-02	of Wessex Hall; stayed with the Pollards at Fairlight, 9 Denmark Road, Reading
1924-10-09	"Bertha Morrell's eldest daughter has come to the college here [Reading] to study agriculture—which is very pleasant."	Frank Pollard, budget letter
1925-08-15	student, of Burton Croft, York; with her whole family, embarked Southampton for Cherbourg, aboard the Cunard Berengaria, travelling first class	UK outward passenger lists
1926-07-07	"last visit from Wessex Hall"	Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books
1926-08-26	student, of Burton Croft, York; embarked Liverpool aboard the Cunard Scythia, bound for Boston, Massachusetts, USA	UK outward passenger lists
1927-08-27	student, of Burton Croft, York; with her mother, arrived Plymouth from New York, aboard Cunard's Caronia, travelling cabin class	UK incoming passenger lists
1928-11-01	of York and Reading	Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books
1929-12-24	no occupation; with her parents, arrived Plymouth aboard the Royal Netherlands Steamship Cy's Stuyvesant, travelling 1st class, after two weeks in Dominica	UK incoming passenger lists
1930-02-06/-08	of York; with her mother, stayed with the Pollards at 9 Denmark Road, Reading	Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books
1931-11-18	photographed with her mother, "in practical working kit on their farm, "Potter Hill," near Helmsley	Leeds Mercury
1932-10-05	Miss Lydia Morrell. MIDNIGHT-BLUE corduroy velvet is the material chosen by Mss Lydia Morrell for her going-away suit. It should suit her well, for Miss Morrell, a most attractive girl, belongs to the sunny, fair-haired, open-air type so little seen these days. She is the elder daughter of Mr. J.B. Morrell and Mrs. Morrell, the Lady Mayoress of York. Her marriage to Mr. A.H. Butler, a sugar planter in the West Indies, takes place in York on October 15. Before returning to Trinidad Mr. Butler and his bride are going to see what the Lake District looks like in the late autumn. Her Quaker Wedding. THE wedding will be a Quaker ceremony and will be attended by the Lord Mayor, Alderman Vernon Wragge, and the Sheriff, Mr. Arnold Rowntree. The bride will wear her mother's wedding veil with a white chiffon dress lined with shell pink. Her bridesmaids also are having simple frocks of white organdie with blue sashes. There will be four children in the bridal procession, two pages, and two little girls, beside the grown-up bridesmaids, Miss Betty Morrell and Miss E.B. Butler, sisters of the bride and the bridegroom.	Leeds Mercury
1931-10-13	photo with her husband-to-be, taken at Burton Croft	Yorkshire Evening Post, 1932-10-13
1932-10-15	m. Arthur Hedley Butler (1899–1978, s. of Robert and May Butler), at York fmh	The Friend; Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1932-10-17 (with wedding photo); St Andrew cemetery records
	YORK BRIDE Mr. A.H. Butler and Miss L.R. Morrell The Friends' Meeting House at York was filled on Saturday for the wedding of Miss Lydia Ruth Morrell, daughter of the Lady Mayoress of York, to Mr. Arthur Hedley Butler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Butler, of Rossin, Slane, Co. Meath. Miss Morrell is the eldest daughter of Alderman N.B. and Mrs. Morrell, of Burton Croft, an old York family, and much public interest was shown in the event. Among the guests were the Lord Mayor of York (Alderman R.H. Vernon Wragge), the Sheriff (Mr. Arnold Rowntree) and Mrs. Rowntree, the members of the Corporation and their ladies, together with the department heads of Rowntree and Co.'s cocoa works, of which the bride's father is a director. Mr. Butler is a tea planter in the West Indies, and after a honeymoon spent in the Lakes, Mr. and Mrs. Butler are going to reside at Trinidad. The ceremony was of the simple form adopted by the Society of Friends. The bride wore a dress of white chiffon over shell pink chiffon, together with the veil worn by her mother at her wedding. She was also wearing a string of pearls, the gift of her bridegroom, and carried a bouquet of pink roses and lilies of the valley. She was attended by her sister, Miss Elizabeth Morrell, and Miss Eileen Butler, sister of the bridegroom, and Misses Constance and Anthea Crossley, as bridesmaids. They wore dresses of white embroidered organdie and Wedgwood blue velvet sashes and blue shoes, with blue velvet wreaths on their hair. They also carried early Victorian bouquets. After the wedding Mrs. J.B. Morrell held a reception at Burton Croft. Mrs. Butler's going-away dress was of midnight blue corduroy velvet, with tweed coat and hat trimmed to match.	Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 1932-10-17, with photo of wedding group at Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer
Child:	Patrick Hedley Morrell (1933–1974)	Butler-Esdon-Morrell-Prothero
1939-09-29	not found in 1939 register	1939 England and Wales Register (RG 101)
by 1955	living in Ireland	Mary S.W. Pollard diaries
1960-07-30	of Muldowney; at the Annual Exhibition of the Malahide Horticultural Society, in the Grand Hotel, Malahide, in the amateur Flowers section, won second prize for sweet pea, first for annuals, and second for pot plant	Drogheda Independent, 1960-07-30
1961-09-02	of The Strand, Malahide; at the Annual Exhibition of the Malahide Horticultural Society, won first prize for a pot plant, in the amateur Flowers section	Drogheda Independent
1963-12-13	of Moldowney, Malahide, Dublin, Ireland; co-executor and trustee of her father's estate; inherited one third of his residual estate	father's will and grant of probate
from 1963-12-13	received the income on a third of her mother's estate	mother's will
1982-01-28	[at Bill's funeral:] "Lydia's man friend had not come (she lives with a former friend of her late husband, he is 80, she 77.) We had not seen each other for ages & had a great time reminiscing."	letter to me from Ruth Beck, 1982-02-02
1986-05-06	of Coastguard Cottage, Moldowney, Malahide, Co. Dublin; tel: 450240	letter to me from Lydia Butler
1991-01-30	of Coastguard Cott., Moldowney, Malahide, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland; d.	St Andrew cemetery records; Find a will
	bur. St Andrew Cemetery, Malahide, Co. Dublin, Ireland	St Andrew cemetery records
1991-10-11	will proved at London; £897,856	Find a will

02. Elizabeth Bertha Morrell (Betty)

1907-01-07	"At 30, St. Mary's, York, to John Bowes and Bertha Morrell, a daughter, who was named Elizabeth Bertha."	The Friend XLVII:96, 1907-02-08; The British Friend XVI Feb:62 ('36' )
	When I went to see B. I found she had begun to be ill last night. I went & sat with her a long time in the aft. & at 9.15 Emily brought a message that she had got a little daughter—nearly 3 weeks too soon. I feel envious.	Mary Spence Watson's diary
1907-02-26	christened: I stayed for the christening of Betty at 4.0—M^rs.Morrell, Mabel, Cuthbert, Bowes, Bertha & I & 2 of the maids were there. It really was very nice indeed—apart from the actual ceremony, I don't think even thou could have objected to what was said. It was much nicer than a Church of England service, & really mostly prayers for the baby, & for its parents that they might have wisdom, etc. Afterwards we had tea [ . . . . ]	letters of Mary Pollard
1911	with her grandmother and aunt, boarding at 43 Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton, Shropshire; 8 rooms	TNA: RG 14/15924 RD344 ED1 Sch.131
1911-12-25	Our 2 children and Daisy and Nelly arrived about 3.30 and then Robin, Dia, Betty, Molly & Colin acted "Little Red Riding Hood" really very well indeed, but it was awfully funny. Robin was the wolf in a mask, and with my long fur for a tail, Betty a sweet little Red Riding Hood, Dia the grandmother, Molly the Mother and Colin the wood-cutter. At the end when R. & Betty were in bed together, they rolled off as an unexpected climax! R. was quite dramatic. Then Dia repeated a French poem and "I'm 7 years old today" and baby Marg. sat on a stool all alone and said very slowly stroking a toy cat "I love Zickie pussy", beaming on everyone in turn, though we thought feeling rather near tears and stupidly enough I could not help laughing, for I felt so nervous. Betty said "I once had a sweet little doll dears" very well.	Mary Spence Watson's diary
1911-12-31	played the grandmother in a little performance of Red Ridinghood at Christmas at Burton Croft	Frank Pollard, budget letter
1917-01-20	stayed with Frank and Mary Pollard at 8 Clifton Dale, York	Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books
1918-06-15/-17	of Burton Croft, York; stayed with Frank and Mary Pollard at 8 Clifton Dale, York
1920-05-04/-05	stayed with Frank and Mary Pollard at 8 Clifton Dale, York
1920-09-27	to Croham Hurst for her first term there	Mary S.W. Pollard diaries
1921	not found in census
1922-12-25	. . . "Betty has a bad arm with vaccination."	Mary S.W. Pollard diaries
1923-06-08/-11	of Croham Hurst School; stayed with the Pollards at Whiteknights House, Reading	Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books
1923-11-04/-05
1924-10-31/-11-03
1925-05-28/-06-02	of Croham Hurst School, Croydon; stayed with the Pollards at Fairlight, 9 Denmark Road, Reading
1925-08-15	student, of Burton Croft, York; with her whole family, embarked Southampton for Cherbourg, aboard the Cunard Berengaria, travelling first class	UK outward passenger lists
1927-10-14/-16	of Roehampton College; stayed with the Pollards at Fairlight, 9 Denmark Road, Reading	Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books
1928-11-10/-13	of Roehampton, London; stayed with the Pollards at 9 Denmark Road, Reading	Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books
1928-12-22	"Betty away at winter sports" . . .	Mary S.W. Pollard diaries
1929-06-16	of Roehampton, S.W.15	Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books
1929-11-02/-03
1930-05-17/-19
1931-01-30/-02-03	of Burton Croft, York; stayed with the Pollards at 9 Denmark Road, Reading
1932-04-23/-24	of Three Arts Club, 19 Marylebone R^d, London; stayed with the Pollards at 9 Denmark Road, Reading
1932-05-18	of Three Arts Club, London, N.W.1
1932-10-15	bridesmaid at her sister's wedding in York	Leeds Mercury, 1932-10-05; Nottingham Journal, 1932-10-17
1934-09-23	no occupation, of Burton Croft, York; arrived Plymouth from Rangoon, aboard the Bibby Line's M.V. Staffordshire	UK Incoming Passenger Lists
1934-09-29/-10-01	of York; stayed with the Pollards at 9 Denmark Road, Reading	Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books
1935-09-23	teacher, of Burton Croft, York; arrived Southampton from Durban, aboard the Union Castle's Balmoral Castle; tourist class	UK Incoming Passenger Lists
1937-05-16	of York; stayed with the Pollards at 22 Cintra Avenue, Reading	Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books
1939-09-29	unpaid domestic duties, living with her parents at Burton Croft, Burton Stone Lane, York, with two (or perhaps three) domestic servants	1939 England and Wales Register (RG 101)
1948-01-11	of 50 Westbourne Park R^d, W.7; visited the Becks at 20 Fortis Green Avenue, London, N.2	Beck visitors' book
1949-06-05	*Party pieces* TEA party at York's Mansion House to-morrow is in honour of Helen Dzhermolinska, editress of New York's Dance. York's Lady Mayoress (Miss Elizabeth Morrell) has a surprise for her visitor, who is to be given three books—all by York authors. One of the books—dealing with York memorials—is by the Lord Mayor.	Yorkshire Evening Post, 1949-06-04
1949-07-28	ROYAL VISIT TO YORK Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh concluded their three-day tour of the West Riding yesterday with a visit to York. After a visit to the Minster, the Princess and the Duke were received by the Lord Mayor (Mr. J.B. Morrell), who presented the Lady Mayoress (Miss Elizabeth Morrell). Lunch was taken at the Mansion House and tea at Bishopthorpe Palace with the Archbishop. At the conclusion of the visit the Royal visitors were received at the station by the Lord Mayor before entraining for London.	Nottingham Journal, 1949-07-29; group photo at Bradford Observer, of the same date
1950-03-14	as Lady Mayoress, with her father, attended a reception of the Georgian Society at the Royal Academy Rooms, Burlington House, London, by invitation of the Princess Royal	Birmingham Daily Gazette
1950-04-28	hosted a reception at the Mansion House; was presented with a pair of nylon stockings brought back from the USA by her father	Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 1950-04-29 (with photo)
1951-07-11	EX-LADY MAYORESS OF YORK TO WED A FORMER Lady Mayoress of York, Miss Elizabeth Morrell, has announced her engagement to Mr. Norman Powis Hoult, producer for the York Repertory Theatre. Miss Morrell is the younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Morrell, of Burton Croft, York. She was Lady Mayoress during her father's term of office as Lord Mayor in 1949–50. She acted as hostess to Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh when they visited the city that year. Her mother was unable to accept the office owing to ill-health. Mr. Hoult, second son of Mrs. Hoult and the late Rev. J.B. Hoult, of North Wootton, Somerset, has been connected with the theatre since he was a boy. He joined the York company in 1941 after his discharge from the Army, but was then lent to E.N.S.A. and managed a company in the Far East. He returned to York in 1945 and was made producer.	Yorkshire Evening Post (with photo)
1951-07-11	York engagement THE engagement is announced between Mr. Norman Powis Hoult, York Repertory Theatre producer, and Miss Elizabeth Morrell. Mr. Hoult is the second son of the late Rev. J.P. Hoult and of Mrs. Hoult, of North Wootton, Somerset. Miss Morrell is the younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Morrell, of Burton Croft, York. She was Lady Mayoress in 1949–50 during her father's second term of office. Mr. Hoult, who has been on the stage since boyhood, played many parts in London, on tours with Shakespearian and other companies, and with repertory companies before the recent war. He joined the Middlesex Regiment in 1939, but was discharged in 1941, when his association with the York Repertory Company began. Miss Morrell was Froebel-trained for teaching and she also worked as an auxiliary nurse before joining the A.T.S., in which she served for four years during the war.	Bradford Observer (with photo)
1951 Q3	m. 1. Norman Powis Hoult (1891–1952), Whitby RD	GRO index
1952-08-22	husband of Burton Croft, York, at the date of his death	National Probate Calendar
1952-08-25	among the family mourners at her husband's funeral at Golder's Green Crematorium, London	Bradford Observer, 1952-08-26
1952-13-31	executrix of her husband's will, at York	National Probate Calendar
1956-05-01	housewife, of Burton Croft, York; arrived Southampton from New York, aboard Cunard's Mauretania; first class	UK Incoming Passenger Lists
1959-03-30	m. 2. James Millar Cooper (1908–1997), Barnet RD	GRO index; Mary S.W. Pollard diary
1960, 1962/1963	of 28a Willoughby Road, Hampstead, London	electoral registers
1963-12-13	of 11 St Saviours Place, York; co-executor and trustee of her father's estate; inherited one third of his residual estate	father's will and grant of probate
from 1963-12-13	received the income on a third of her mother's estate	mother's will
1986-05-02	of High Peak, 44 Lenham Avenue, Saltdean, Brighton, BN2 8AG; tel. 0273-34924	letter to me from Betty Cooper
	of Flat 18, 1 Grand Avenue, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2LA	personal knowledge
1994-04-27	of Flat 18, 1 Grand Avenue, Hove, East Sussex; d. Hove RD	GRO index; Find a will
	I hardly knew Betty, really, but met her occasionally. A very haughty-seeming woman, imperious of manner, rather intimidating. Julia knew her quite well when she lived in Hampstead; Betty used to give her her cast-off clothes, usually quite inappropriate for her. Jim seemed rather more easy-going, but very much in Betty's shadow. Betty, of course, was pretty well-off (she left an estate of over £1 million); for quite a while she used to dole out the odd £100 to any relation she could think of; then several years ago, out of the blue, she dished out over £5000 to each of us—with such ease, one could almost be churlish and not call it generosity, as you felt she wouldn't notice the loss of it. Still, it was received most gratefully. She died some time in 1994, but none of us found out about this till over a year later.	personal knowledge
1994-11-25	will proved at Leeds; £1,035,634	Find a will
1995-01-03	of Hove, East Sussex; estate £1,034,513 (net before tax)	"Latest wills." Times [London, England] 3 Jan. 1995: 14. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 20 May 2015

03. William Bowes Morrell, MA (Willy, Will, Bill)

1913-02-18 b. York, Yorkshire GRO index; Bootham School Register

. . . "at 3.30 a.m. Feb. 18^th a little boy was born. I went down about 11.15 a.m. & saw him & Ber, a darling baby 8½ lbs. She had a hard time but is tremendously pleased to have a boy." Mary Spence Watson's diary

1913-03-01 "Bertha's baby is losing weight which bothers them."

. . . sometimes Bill could be horrid. Once he came up to me with a large box of chocolates (Uncle Bowes was a Director of Rowntrees) and told me to shut my eyes and open my mouth and see etc. Luckily I sneaked a glimpse as he was just about to put a large caterpillar into my mouth.
Margaret Dale: 'Reminiscences'

Margaret recounted how Bill (a very spoilt naughty little boy) offered her a box of chocolates, telling her to shut her eyes; she just opened them in time before he popped a fat caterpillar into her mouth. Caro remembered having a bath with Bill when they were children, & having their supper of fishcakes brought to them in the bath."
letter to me from Ruth Beck, 1982-02-02

1921-02-04/-08 of York; with his mother, stayed with Frank and Mary Pollard at Whiteknights House, Reading Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books

1921 attending school whole time; living with his parents in 11 rooms at Burton Croft, Burton Stone Lane, York, with an 11-year old Austrian student as a visitor, a nurse, a parlour maid, a cook, and a house maid TNA: RG 15/23501 RD517 SD2 ED33 SN16

1922/1926 at Downs School, Colwall Edgar B. Collinson, ed. (1935) Bootham School Register, 2nd edn

1926/1931 at Bootham School; 1st XI cricket, 1st XI football, and fives champion Collinson, ed. (1935); Bootham School Register; The Friend

1925-08-15 student, of Burton Croft, York; with his whole family, embarked Southampton for Cherbourg, aboard the Cunard Berengaria, travelling first class UK outward passenger lists

1926-11-07 "Billy so charming now, but has had influenza & looks poorly." Mary S.W. Pollard diaries

1926-12 in Upper Schoolroom, room 8, Bright House; entrance scholarship from The Downs School, Honoris causa Bootham 13.2:74, 80

1928-04-28/-05-01 of Burton Croft, York; stayed with the Pollards at 9 Denmark Road, Reading Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books

1929-10-26 departed for a visit to the West Indies with his parents; arrived back on Christmas Eve Mary Spence Watson: diary

1929-12-24 of Burton Croft, York; with his parents, arrived Plymouth from Barbados (after two weeks in Dominica), aboard the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company's Stuyvesant UK Incoming Passenger Lists

1930-12-17 his lantern slides were included in the Leisure Hour Work Exhibition, at the John Bright Library, Bootham School Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 1930-12-18

1931-04-09/-15 of Burton Croft, York; stayed with the Pollards at 9 Denmark Road, Reading Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books

1931-12
W.B. MORRELL won the Edgar Pickard Prize for Photography in 1930 and was secretary of the Society. He served on the following committees: Photographic, Scientific and Technical, Athletics, Fives, Tennis, and Cricket. The Fire Brigade also enjoyed his assistance. Morrell won the School Fives championship of 1931. He won the College Class Tournament, and was one of the successful pair in the Bedroom Tournament and the Doubles Handicap. He gained first XI colours for football and cricket, and was secretary of the latter club; but he still found time to give valuable assistance to the Lads' Club and the School Camp. Morrell was a consistent speaker at debates, taking a leading part in the Distinguished Strangers' Debate of 1931. He graced charades annually in various female parts, and made use of the experience thus gained by standing as a lady candidate in the Mock Municipal election. He passed London Matriculation in 1929, and leaves as a reeve from the College after a stay of five years.
Bootham 15.5:241

1933-04-19 student, of Burton Croft, York; arrived Southampton from New York, aboard the Canadian Pacific Empress of Britain; first class UK Incoming Passenger Lists

1933-09-29
ABERDEEN PUPPY.—Bitch, for Sale, 4 months; house trained. Excellent pedigree. Good breeding strain. Price 3 gns.—W.B. Morrell, Burton Croft, York. Phone 3197.
Morecambe Guardian

. . . "dear Bill Morrell, my nearly-brother cousin at St John's" . . . 'Mabel's Route Map'

1931/1934 at St John's College, Cambridge; Economics and Law Tripos; Sec. C.U. Liberal Club Collinson, ed. (1935)

1933-12-24/-26 of York; with his father, stayed with the Pollards at 9 Denmark Road, Reading Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books

1934 MA (Cantab.), Law tripos, Pt II, Cl. III, St John's College, Cambridge Bootham School Register; The Friend

1934-04-03 of York Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books

1935 hobbies—photography, politics Collinson, ed. (1935)

1935-05-17 newly elected to the committee of the Eighty Club Nottingham Journal

1935-05-31 of London, W.14; letter published in the Birmingham Daily Gazette, on the export trade Birmingham Daily Gazette

1935-06-20 had passed the Trinity law exam, Elements of the Law of Contract and of the Law of Tort, Class III, Gray's Inn Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer

1935-07-23 wrote to the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer on the subject of Hungary's place in world affairs Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 1935-07-25

1936-06-25 with the Birmingham Liberal Club, played golf at Stratford-on-Avon, for the Arthur Brampton Challenge Cup; gross 107, handicap 24, net 83 Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1936-06-26

1937-04-08 a guest at the wedding reception for John Cadbury and Lucy Agatha Tangye, at Broome House, near Stourbridge Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1937-04-09

1937-05-12 of 73 Middleton Hall-road, King's Norton; drawn for the first round of the Birmingham Gazette and Evening Despatch tennis competition Birmingham Daily Gazette

1937-05-22 took the chair at the first meeting of the re-founded West Midlands District Council of the National League of Young Liberals, at the Birmingham Liberal Association headquarters, Corporation-street, Birmingham Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1937-05-24

1937-06-18 "at Blewbury"; stayed with the Pollards at 22 Cintra Avenue, Reading Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books

1937-07-27 one of the groomsmen at the wedding of Geoffrey Vealle and Elizabeth Patricia Barrow, at Bournville fmh Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1937-07-28

1938-01-23 MA conferred at Cambridge; of St John's Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 1938-01-24

1938-10-18 on the committee for the Nottingham Press Charities Ball; also acted as MC Nottingham Journal, 1938-10-07; Nottingham Evening Post, 1938-10-19

1938-11-21 assistant manager of the Nottingham Journal, Ltd Nottingham Journal

1938/1981 trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd Joseph Rowntree

1939-09-29 not found in 1939 Register 1939 England and Wales Register (TNA: RG 101)

1939-12-02 of Burton Croft; with his father, among the directors of the York Social Service Trust, Ltd Nottingham Journal

1939-12-16 lance bombardier; m. Käthe Lisa Probst (1916–1992, daughter of Professor Emil and Magdalena Minna Elisabeth (Leitholf) Probst) at Caxton Hall, London GRO index; Bootham 19.6:330; "Marriages." Times [London, England] 21 Dec. 1939: 1. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 20 May 2015; Berlin marriages; Baden Lutheran baptisms

WEDDING OF MR. W. B. MORRELL

WEARING the battle-dress uniform of the Royal Artillery in which he is a lance-bombardier, Mr. William Bowes Morrell, only son of Alderman and Mrs. J.B. Morrell, of Burton Croft, York, was married quietly in London on Saturday to Miss Kate Probst, daughter of Professor E. Probst, of Howard House, Dolphin-square, London, and Mrs. Probst.

They left on a very short honeymoon, as Mr. Morrell rejoins his unit early this week.

The bride's father was, until he came to England two years ago, a professor of structural engineering in Germany, and has written many books on the subject which have been translated into English.

Mr. Morrell was formerly on the staff of the Birmingham Gazette, of which Alderman J.B. Morrell is chairman. He later went to Nottingham, with the "Nottingham Journal" and "Evening News."

BRIDE IN BLACK

The ceremony took place at the Caxton Hall Register Office. His father and Professor Probst were the witnesses. The bride wore a black silk frock with a white wing-bow collar under a black coat trimmed with Indian lamb and a small black hat. A reception was held at the Goring Hotel.

Among the guests, many of whom came from the Midlands, were Mr and Mrs. J.T. Procter, Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Butler, Mr. E.E. Taylor, Mr. G.S. Crossley, Miss Constance Crossley, Mr. O. Sheldon, Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Derwent, Mr. S.C. Gobey, Mr. D.M. Borland, Mr. and Mrs. C. Hardaker, Mr. and Mrs. L. Thorneloe, Mrs. U. Petrie, Mr. A.C. Gilpin, Miss Barbara Wilson, Mr. R. Hare, Mr. R. Petrie, Sir Percy Harris, Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Bailey, and Professor and Mrs. F.E. Weiss.
Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1939-12-18; also Nottingham Journal of the same date; a photo of the couple accompanies a similar report in the Bradford Observer of the same date

1940-07-07 Kate of 506 Hood House, Dolphin Quare, London, S.W.1 Frank and Mary Pollard visitors' books

1941-07-12 Cadet from OCTU, 197497, Royal Regiment of Artillery, to be 2nd Lt from this date London Gazette, 1941-07-29

1941-12 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Artillery Bootham 20.5:499

Children: John Bowes (1942 – after 2022), Peter Spence (1946 – after 2022), Nicholas Cuthbert (1949 – after 2022) GRO index; Companies house register

1943-04 Captain, Royal Artillery Bootham 21.3:662

1946-10-08 assistant manager, Nottingham Journal Ltd; gave a talk on 'Early Nottingham Newspapers', at a meeting of the Mapperley Methodist Church Nottingham Journal, 1946-10-09

1947-01-15 general manager of the Journal Nottingham Journal, 1947-01-16

1947-01-28 as an officer of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, became a committee member of the Nottingham branch of the Courtesy Club of Great Britain Nottingham Journal

1947-02-28 present at the first annual post-war dinner and dance of the re-formed Publicity Club of Nottingham Nottingham Journal, 1947-03-01—included in group photograph

1947-05-19 one of two delegates to the National Council elected from the Nottingham Junior Chamber of Commerce Nottingham Journal, 1947-05-20

1947-10-06 present at the "Nottingham Journal" Horticultural Show Dinner Nottingham Journal, 1947-10-07—included in group photograph

1948-03-17 "Mr. W.B. Morrell, at present Manager of the Nottingham Journal Ltd., has been appointed Manager of the Birmingham papers." Birmingham Daily Gazette

1948-03-31
Leaving Nottingham

Presentation to Mr. W.B. Morrell

A HANDSOME wireless set subscribed for by the staffs of "The Nottingham Journal" and the "Nottingham Evening News," was last night presented to their popular general manager, Mr. W.B. Morrell, who on 5 April takes up the position of manager of "The Birmingham Gazette," where he was employed before coming to Nottingham in 1937.

Evidence of the esteem and regard in which Mr. Morrell is held by the employees was revealed in the large attendance at the informal ceremony which was performed by Mr. F. Havercroft, the oldest employee of the firm.

Mr. Havercroft referred to the changes which had taken place during the 54 years he had been employed by the newspaper. He recalled that Mr. Morrell came to Nottingham as assistant to Mr. H.L. Howarth (then general manager) in 1937, and had been manager since January, 1947. His service in Nottingham was interrupted by five years in the forces, during which he attained the rank of captain, returning to Nottingham in 1946.

The staff appreciated Mr. Morrell's keen interest in the work of all the departments and his special regard for sport and welfare activities.

They all wished him Godspeed and happiness in his new appointment.

Mr. Morrell, in acknowledging the gift which he said would be a reminder of happy times in Nottingham, spoke of the fine spirit of friendliness and co-operation in the office. "It has produced a magnificent team with which I am proud to have been associated," he said.

Mr. F.G. Cragg presided.
Nottingham Journal, 1948-04-01—with photo of the presentation

1948-11-17 chairman of Westminster Press Provincial Newspapers Ltd, and the Birmingham Gazette Ltd; had been present at the funeral of Charles Hardaker Birmingham Daily Gazette

1948-12 has been manager of the Nottingham Journal Ltd for the past few years; has been appointed manager and a director of the Birmingham Gazette Ltd Bootham 23.2:78

1949-04-07 chairman of Westminster Press Provincial Newspapers Ltd. and of the Birmingham Gazette Ltd. Birmingham Daily Gazette—with photograph

1949-10-05 Birmingham Daily Gazette—with photograph

1950-07-25 had been installed as president of Birmingham Junior Chamber of Commerce Birmingham Daily Gazette—with photograph

1951-02-07 director and manager of the Birmingham Gazette Ltd Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1951-02-08—included in group photo

1951-04-27 of 28 Frederick Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Staffordshire; appointed an executor of the will of his aunt Mary Pollard, in place of his father will and codicils of Mary S.W. Pollard

1951-07-16 succeeded by another, as president of Birmingham Junior Chamber of Commerce Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1951-07-16

1951-09-24 president of the Birmingham and District News Trade Golf Club Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1951-09-25

1952-01-30 director and manager of The Birmingham Gazette and Despatch Ltd Birmingham Daily Gazette

1952-04-09 director and manager of The Birmingham Gazette and Despatch Ltd, and a vice-president of the Newsvendors' Benevolent and Provident Institution Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1952-04-10

1952-11-04 presented the Birmingham Gazette Cup for athletics, at the Stonehouse Gang Group's annual speech day Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1952-11-05—with photograph

1953-09-11 made a presentation to a retiring employee Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1953-09-12—with photograph

1953-11 has been appointed Managing Director of the Birmingham Gazette and Despatch Ltd Bootham 25.4:178

1953-11-06 attended the Birmingham Press Ball Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1953-11-07—included in group photograph

1954-01-08 attended the Birmingham Publicity Association's dinner-dance Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1954-01-09—with photograph

1954-05-18 assistant secretary of the Birmingham Civic Society Birmingham Daily Post, 1954-05-19

1954-08-04 with his wife, present at his mother's funeral service at the Clifton Methodist Church in York Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 1954-08-05

1954-09-25 a patron vice-president of the Birmingham Works A.F.A. Sports Argus

1954-10-02 present at the memorial service to George Cadbury, in Birmingham Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1954-10-04

1954-11-16 inherited one third of his mother's residuary estate mother's will and grant of probate

1955-04-24 with a party visiting Lyons, to inspect the Lyons roads system, the transport undertaking, textile factories, and textile museum, and to attend the opening of the Avenue de Birmingham Birmingham Daily Post, 1955-04-25

1955-05 is Director and General Manager of the Westminster Press in London Bootham 27.3:123

1955-05-19
New president

Mr. W.B. Morrell, Managing Director of The Birmingham Gazette and Despatch, Limited, was installed as President of Birmingham Publicity Association last night. He received the President's Badge from the retiring President, Mr. A. Chamberlain, at the annual general meeting at the Queen's Hotel.
Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1955-05-20

1955-06-22 made a presentation to the outgoing Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1955-06-23—with photograph

1955-12-10 president of the Birmingham Press Ball committee Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1955-12-23

1956-05-11 president-elect of the Printers' Billiards League Birmingham Daily Gazette, 1955-05-12—included in group photograph

1956-05-17 succeeded as president of the Birmingham Publicity Association Birmingham Daily Post, 1956-05-18

1956-11-03
[ . . . ] On the completion of this merger the Board of the Birmingham Gazette & Despatch Ltd. will be reconstituted, and also two of their present directors, Mr. R.P.T. Gibson and Mr. W.B. Morrell, will join the Board of The Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd. Mr. Morrell and Mr. Charles Fenby will remain on the Board of The Birmingham Gazette & Despatch Ltd.
Birmingham Daily Post

1957-04-18
Mr. W.B. Morrell

As from June 1, Mr. W.B. Morrell is relinquishing his position as managing director of the Birmingham Despatch and Mercury Limited, and a director of The Birmingham Post & Mail Limited. He will be leaving Birmingham to take up a new appointment as general manager of Westminster Press Provincial Newspapers Limited.
Birmingham Daily Post

managing director, Westminster Press Open Library

1957-06-15 had been presented with an electric warming plate, by the West Midlands and North Wales Council of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents Birmingham Daily Post—with photograph of the presentation

c. 1958-03 of 99 South End Rd, London, N.W3; visited the Becks at 50 Clarence Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire Beck visitors' book

1959-07-11 with his father, two of the three personal representatives in the estate of Cuthbert Morrell London Gazette

1960-07-29 director, Westminster Press Provincial Newspapers Ltd.; present at the memorial service for Lord Iliffe, at St Bride's church, Fleet Street, London Birmingham Daily Post, 1960-07-30

1962-01-09 named as a director of the newly-formed Evening Newspaper Advertising Bureau Ltd Liverpool Echo

1962-05-17 of 99 South End Road, London N.W.3; signed the grant of probate of the will of his aunt Mary grant of probate of the will of Mary S.W. Pollard

1963-06-06 flying out to Switzerland to join a party retracing the route taken by his great-aunt Jemima Morrell in 1863 Birmingham Daily Post

1963-12-13 co-executor and trustee of his father's estate; inherited one third of his residual estate, as well as his one share in The Company of Proprietors of Selby Bridge father's will and grant of probate

1963/1981 chairman of the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd Joseph Rowntree

1964-12-17
WESTMINSTER PRESS PROVINCIAL NEWSPAPERS: Mr. W.B. Morrell, deputy managing director, is to succeed Mr. H.L. Howarth as managing director on January 1. [ . . . ] Mr. Morrell has spent most of his working life with Westminster Press, of which his father was chairman for 20 years. He was managing director of the Birmingham Gazette and Despatch until its merger with the Birmingham Post and Mail, and since 1958 he has been advertisement director of Westminster Press. A director of the Evening Newspaper Advertising Bureau since its inception, he was the chairman last year.
Birmingham Daily Post

1965-02-18 managing director of Westminster Press; will become a director, in a takeover of the Southern Publishing Co. Ltd Birmingham Daily Post

1966-08-11
New director of the Post and Mail

Mr. William Bowes Morrell has been appointed a director of The Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd. He succeeds Mr H.V. Ferguson, whose retirement was reported recently.

Mr. Morrell, who is managing director of Westminster Press Provincial Newspapers Ltd., has been engaged all his business life in the provincial newspaper world, including a period of nine years in Birmingham as managing director of the Birmingham Gazette and Despatch.

He is a former president of Birmingham Junior Chamber of Commerce and of Birmingham Publicity Association.
Birmingham Daily Post

1967-04-11 chairman of U.K. Publications Ltd, which owned the Baltic Magazine letter from Bill Morrell to G. Wigham Richardson, 1967-04-12

1967-06-06 deputy chairman and managing director of Westminster Press: to join the board of Merritt and Hatcher Birmingham Daily Post

1967-06-15 appointed to the Finance Committee of the Press Association Birmingham Daily Post

1968-12-20 re-elected to the board of The Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd Birmingham Daily Post, 1968-12-21

1969-06-27 "[ . . . ] Turning now to Westminster Press, this company, under the vigorous management of Mr. W.B. Morrell, has enjoyed a record year. [ . . . ]" Birmingham Daily Post, 1969-06-04

1971-06-10 chairman of the Press Association Birmingham Daily Post

1971 newspaper director, of London Bootham School Register

1971-12-15 following a restructuring, became an alternate director of the Birmingham Post & Mail Group Ltd. Birmingham Daily Post, 1971-12-16

Mum used to see Cousin Bill not infrequently, sometimes visiting him at home in Hampstead—I remember one last occasion in which Mum & Dad had had a walk on the Heath with him, as well as, for some reason, the political philosopher & Orwell-biographer Bernard Crick. Bill, I knew, had been managing director of the Westminster Press, and I think was a director of Rowntrees' as well, as his father had been. personal knowledge

1972-05 Managing Director of the Westminster Press, Limited, and chairman of the Joseph Rowntree Social Service Trust Bootham 31.5:208

1973-02-21 of 99 South End Road, London, NW3; tel 01-435 0785 letter from Bill Morrell to Ruth Beck, in my possession

1975-02-11 "Cousin Bill is seriously ill in hospital (don't know what – he can't keep any food down)." letter to me from Ruth Beck

1975-07-08 "Cousin Bill is a good bit better, but still in hospital." letter to me from Ruth Beck

1975-11-17 has resigned from the board of Pearson Longman to reduce his commitments following illness Birmingham Daily Post

1976-11
WILLIAM B. MORRELL (1926–31) has been appointed Vice-Chairman of Westminster Press Ltd., having resigned as Managing Director. Last year he founded the York Common Good Trust for the common good of the citizens of York. The Trustees include his youngest son, NICHOLAS C. MORRELL and MICHAEL H. SESSIONS, both of whom were also at Bootham (1962-67).
Bootham 33.2:65

1978-02-16
Retires—after 42 years with WP Newspapers

MR. W.B. Morrell, vice-chairman of Westminster Press Ltd., and a director of King and Hutchings, proprietors of the Gazette, retires tomorrow after more than 42 years with the company.

He will remain on the board of York and County Press and Herald Printers, York, retaining a professional link with the city where he was born and with which his family had been prominently associated for many years.

Bill Morrell was managing director of Westminster Press from 1965 to 1976 and vice-chairman from 1976.

He is the son of Dr. J.B. Morrell, a founder member with Sir Charles Starmer of what was for many years known as the Starmer Newspaper Group, the forerunner of Westminster Press.

Mr. Morrell, who was educated at Bootham and St. John's, Cambridge, first went into the business in 1933 at Oxford, where he was involved in the editorial and advertisement departments.

WAR SERVICE

He extended his interest in advertising by working with the J. Walter Thompson organisation and other agencies before rejoining Westminster Press at Bradford in 1935. He moved to Birmingham (where Westminster Press then had a morning, evening and Sunday paper) in 1936, and to Nottingham (then a city with four daily papers) in 1938.

After war service, during which he was commissioned in the Royal Artillery and took part in the Normandy invasion, he returned to Birmingham, became manager in 1948 and managing director in 1953. He moved to London in 1957 as Westminster Press general manager and became advertisement director in 1958.

He succeeded the late H. L. Howarth as managing director in 1965 and was instrumental in introducing a new style of management and a new generation of managers into the group, which greatly increased in size under his leadership.

After a serious illness in 1975 he returned to duty the following year, became vice-chairman and also resumed his extensive activities on divisional boards.

Bill Morrell took over the chairmanship of the Rowntree Social Service Trust from his father, who was also largely responsible for the acquisition of the site for York University.

It was under Bill Morrell's guidance that the Trust introduced the fellowship scheme which enabled several Members of Parliament to have the use of research assistants. He has also continued his father's interest in the Trust's work on the treatment of alcoholism.

Mr. and Mrs. Morrell, who were married in 1939, have three sons.
Middlesex County Times, with photo

1981-12-11 of 99 South End Road, Hampstead, London; d. Camden RD GRO index; York Conservation Trust (archived page); Find a will

Ex-chairman of P.A. dies

A former chairman of the Press Association, Mr. William Morrell, has died in London aged 67, after a short illness.

Mr. Morrell spent most of his working life with the Westminster Press Newspaper group, becoming managing director and later vice-chairman. He was chairman of the P.A. from 1971 to 1972.
Liverpool Echo, 1981-12-14

1982-01-28T14:00 memorial service at York Minster "Deaths." Times [London, England] 13 Jan. 1982: 20. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 20 May 2015; letter to me from Ruth Beck, 1982-01-26

Thursday was the Memorial Service for Cousin Bill, in the Choir of York Minster. [ . . . ] There were crowds of people in the minster—friends, Pressmen, etc—even Jo Grimond (I think he's connected with the Rowntree Trust, as Bill was). The address was beautifully given by the former Chairman of York Civic Trust. I kept thinking how much Bill would have loved it all!—Kate looked rather shocked when I said so. We hardly saw her, & none of the sons came to speak to us—very rude, we thought.
letter to me from Ruth Beck, 1982-02-02

1982-05-26 will proved at Newcastle; £247,621 Find a will

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