210067 Pte. Ellis Ratcliffe British Army 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry from:Stockport (d.12th Apr 1918) This gentleman would have been my great uncle.
In Memory of Private Ellis Ratcliffe 81525, 18th Bn., Durham Light Infantry who died age 18 on 12 April 1918.
Son of Ellis and Mary Jane Ratcliffe, of 52, Travis St., Stockport.
Remembered with honour on the Ploegsteert Memorial.
Information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission:-
Ellis joined up, probably in 1916, under age for overseas service and was assigned to the Lancashire Fusiliers. Service number 51023. Later in the war, at the age of 18 he was transferred to the Durham light Infantry as a replacement for casualties.
On 9 April 1918 the Germans opened the second phase of their spring offensive, known as the Battle of Lys. Ellis was not in action that day. It is thought that he may have been part of 50 new reserves that arrived on 7 Apr 1918. Overnight on the 10/11th the Battalion took up positions at Outtersteene, 5 km SW of Bailleul with orders to attack at 7pm. The start of the attack was delayed 30 mins then 'C' company led the way, with the other 3 companies a little way behind. the first and second objectives were captured and consolidation began to take place. Only 'D' company, on the left, had been severely troubled by an enemy machine gun on their flank.
At 7.30am on the following day all companies reported the enemy massing in front for an attack. This attack was delivered to the battalion next to them - the 13th York and Lancaster, who were forced to retire. This left the Durhams exposed and after 15 mins they were also forced back. The Battalion had suffered 270 casualties - dead, wounded or missing.
The Commanding Officer rallied the men into defensive positions with orders to hold at all costs. At this point they were accidentally shelled by the British Artillery, suffering many casualties. 'D' company was reduced from almost 250 to less than 20 men. 'B' company had a similar small number and another retreat was inevitable. They pulled back to a line astride the railway, south of Outtersteene where they held out for an hour before being forced to retreat further. A further significant retreat was ordered for the whole Brigade to a point near Bailleul. It was at some time during the above action that Ellis was killed and his body probably buried by German troops in a quieter period.
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