|
|
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to accept cookies.
If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.
Site Home
Help & FAQs
Features
Submissions
Information
Advertisements
World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment
Pte John Brabazon Ellis
Australian Imperial Force 9th Battalion
from:Australia
Pte. John Brabazon Ellis
Australian Imperial Force 5th Battalion
from:Australia
L/Cpl. John Ellis
British Army 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
from:Barrow in Furness
(d.20th Sep 1917)
John Ellis enlisted at Barrow in Furness, served in the 9th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (formerly 3008 RLR). He was killed in action on the 20th September 1917, aged 20. John is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Panel 63 to 65. His medal card shows the award of the 1914-15 Star, War and Victory Medals, it also refers to service in the Army Cyclist Corps Service No. 6503.
He was born in Jarrow, the son of Christopher Huntley and Mary Gunn Ellis (nee Webster). The 1911 Census shows his family is living at 43 Kent Street, Barrow in Furness. Christopher Ellis age 44 Machinist in Naval Construction (Driller) born North Shields, (married 23 years, children born 12, children still living 11, children died 1). Mary Gunn Ellis wife age 42 born South Shields, Elizabeth Ellis daughter age 15 born North Shields, John Ellis son age 15 at School born Jarrow, Frederick Ellis son age 11 at School born Jarrow, Christopher Ellis son age 10 at School born Jarrow, Catherine Ellis daughter age 9 born born Jarrow and Amelia Ellis daughter age 3 born born Jarrow.
Pte. John Ellis
British Army 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment
from:Leicester
(d.30th July 1916)
Pte. Joseph Ellis
British Army 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry
from:Staithes, North Yorkshire
Joe Ellis survived the war and became manager of Staithes Co-Op. His two sons served in the MN in WW2: 2nd officer Verrill Ellis was lost on SS Widestone 17/11/42. CPO Jack Ellis survived the sinkings of SS Lerwick and SS Nebraska.
Lancelot "Ratter" Ellis
British Army 153rd Siege Battery Royal Field Artillery
from:Whitwell, Derbyshire
Pte. R. M. Ellis
Canadian Army Medical Corps 5th Field Ambulance
(d.4th May 1917)
I have a letter from a Sgt in the 5th Canadian Field Ambulance 2nd Division saying Pte Ellis was killed whilst on duty at Vimy his grave is number 9 row h plot 6 military cemetary at Ecoivers, Mont-St Eloi.
Pte. Thomas Ellis
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Blaydon
Pte. Thomas Ellis
British Army 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards
from:Birmingham
(d.1st Dec 1917)
Thomas Ellis was my paternal grandfather, about whom I new nothing until three weeks ago. I have his service records from the Coldstream Guards, and his burial details from the CWGC. He died at the battle of Cambrai, during the German counter offensive, on 1st of December 1917, age 28. He is commemorated at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, and my wife and I are due to visit his grave in a little over four months time. It will be emotionally difficult, but no more than he deserves. He will not be forgotten.
Pte. Thomas William Ellis
British Army 1/8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment
from:10 Blacks Road, Hammersmith
(d.16th August 1917)
Thomas Ellis was my great uncle and at the moment this is all I know. I've only just found out about him, he was only 22. I am very proud and sad.
2nd Lt. Trevor Edgar Ellis MID
British Army 40th Btn. Machine Gun Corps
from:Trefriw, Caernarfonshire
(d.10th Apr 1918)
Trevor Ellis was born in Bethesda, Caernarfonshire on 19th November 1897, the third son of solicitor William Twigge and Jane Ellis (née Evans) of 15 Ogwen Terrace, Bethesda, Caernarfonshire. His mother came from Talysarn, Caernarfonshire. In 1896, his father dissolved his partnership in Bethesda and later opened a new practice in Trefriw in the Conwy valley and the family had moved to live at Mill Bank, Trefriw by 1911. Trevor’s siblings were: David Ithel (b. Bethesda, 1894), William Tudor (b. Bethesda, 1896), Harri Glyn (b. Bethesda, 1903), Keith Vaughan (b. Bethesda, 1904), Ilid Mary (b. Bethesda, 1907) and Arthur Cecil (b. Bethesda, 1909).
Educated at the County School, Llanrwst, Trevor was employed by the London City & Midland Bank Ltd in High Street, Wrexham and lodged at Heath House, 77 Ruabon Road.
Aged 18 years and 1 month, he registered for military service under the Derby Scheme on 7th of December 1915 and transferred to the Reserve before being mobilised on 12 May 1916 and posted the 21st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (No. 43596) at Kinmel Bay two days later. In his December medical he was assessed as being only 5 feet 1 1/2 inches tall, but by May he was 5 feet 3 inches, weighing 105 lbs, he only qualified for military service under the revised regulations which accepted men who were under 5 feet 3 inches in height. Despite this his physical development was described as ‘Good’. On 1st September he transferred to B Company, 64th Training Reserve Battalion (No. 28531) at Kinmel Camp and was deemed suitable for a commission. On his application for a commission, he expressed a preference for the Machine Gun Corps, stating that he was able to ride both a horse and a motorcycle. He was sent to the MGC Officers’ Cadet Battalion at Bisley on 26th September (interestingly, his medical form at this time shows him as being 5 feet 41/2 inches tall and weighing 120 lbs) from where he was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant and posted to the MGC Infantry Training Group at Clipstone Camp, Mansfield on 26 January 1917 (London Gazette, 10 February 1917, p1440).
He embarked at Folkestone on 31st of March 1917 and joined 121st Company MGC (serving in the 121st Brigade, 40th Division) in France two weeks later. He was admitted to hospital three days later and remained there until the end of the month when he returned to duty. His service papers show that he was sent home on a 14-day leave in September. He appears to have taken part in all the actions of his unit during the summer of 1917 including the advance after the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. On 24th of November he was wounded in the fierce fighting at Bourlon Wood but was able to remain on duty.
In January 1918 he attended a one week course with the Royal Flying Corps somewhere in France and had a three-week home leave in February/March, rejoining his company which had been renamed C Company and merged with the 119th, 120th and 244th Companies to form the 40th Battalion, MGC at Enniskillen Camp, Ervillers. In early March the battalion was undergoing training and a rest period at Blaireville (including a rugby match against the 13th E Surreys, which they won 32–0, and 18th Welsh which they drew 3–3).
On 21st of March, the Germans opened a heavy bombardment on the whole of the front, the opening round of the ‘Kaiser’s Battle’ and 40MGC were heavily involved in the action from the start and sustained heavy casualties – four guns holding the sunken road west of Croiselles ‘fought to the last man and the last round but were finally destroyed’.
By 1st of April the battalion had been relieved and was in reserve at Sailly-sur-Lys and the following day moved to Croix du Bac where they were placed under orders to be ready to move at 30 minutes' notice. On 9th April 40MGC was located in the area east of the River Lys when, at 0415 hours, the Germans opened with a short but heavy bombardment and attacked a Portuguese division and a British brigade. The Portuguese gave way, but the British units held their forward positions until 0730 hours when they began to withdraw from the right flank. Two hours later, the Germans broke through the front line. Three machine gun posts on the right flank of the forward British position were surrounded and only one was able to withdraw, rescued by Corporal Wallace of the 40MGC. Fighting continued throughout the morning and by noon the Germans had penetrated as far as just south of Croix Blanche and were advancing in strength towards Barlette Farm. Lieutenant Bain and 2nd Lieutenant Trevor Ellis, with the Vickers gun rescued by Corporal Wallace and fifty infantry, ‘put up a most determined stand but finally fresh parties of the enemy came into action against them with Light Machine Guns from the rear’ and orders were received from brigade for them to fall back to York Post.
That evening, the Germans managed to cross the River Lys near Bac St Maur (G18) and pushed the British back beyond Croix du Bac (G6) and the troops concentrated at Le Petit Mortier (G4). Early the following morning the Germans bombarded the Vickers and Lewis gun positions that were guarding the Sailly Bridge (G16) and, under heavy supporting machine-gun fire, managed to get across the bridge at 1000 hours. The battalion war diary records that the gun crews holding this position were destroyed in this attack. Among those who died at the river crossing was Trevor Ellis. As the Germans advanced and drove back the defending British forces is body was not recovered. The CO of 40MGC noted in his report of this action:
`All ranks displayed great courage and endurance under particularly difficuly conditions. The losses of men and guns are heavy. Heavy casualties were however inflicted on the enemy. … I desire to bring to notice the names of … 2nd Lieut. T.E. Ellis whose gallantry and leadership were beyond all praise.'
As Trevor Ellis had been killed in the action, no gallantry award could be awarded to him (other than the Victoria Cross) and consequently he was given a posthumous Mention in Dispatches.
The telegram informing his family of Trevor’s death was sent to his father. It would have come immediately after his receipt of another informing him that his eldest son, Major David Ithel Ellis, MC, 285th Brigade, RFA, had been killed on 9th April in the same battle. Trevor Ellis is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the missing in Belgium (his brother’s name is on the same memorial). He is also remembered on the Trefriw War Memorial and the North Wales Heroes Memorial. He was awarded the British War Medal, the Allied Victory Medal and a Mentioned in Dispatches oak leaf cluster.
The citation for his brother’s Military Cross reads: `For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when under an intense and accurate hostile bombardment of his battery. He worked incessantly throughout the night in order to keep his guns in action, by his splendid personal example and devotion keeping up the spirits of his men under circumstances of an exceptionally trying nature. On several occasions he has been the life and soul of his battery under the heaviest shell fire, restoring confidence and cheerfulness at a time when they were most difficult to maintain.
Their younger brother, 2nd Lt William Tudor Ellis, 17th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (2nd North Wales Pals), lost an arm during the war. Their father was commissioned as a lieutenant in the 5th (Flintshire) Battalion, RWF in 1915 and ended the war as a captain in the 324th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps at Dyffryn Aled, Llansannan.
Pte. Vincent Frederick Ellis
British Army 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment
from:224 Horniglow Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
(d.20th Sep 1917)
Pte. W. Ellis
British Army 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
(d.1st Jul 1916)
Rflmn. W. Ellis
British Army 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles
(d.5th September 1917)
Rifleman Ellis served in "A" Company. He died on 5th September 1917 and is buried in Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery British Extn, Grave I.F.1.
Lt. W. Ellis
British Army 11th Btn. C Coy. Royal Irish Rifles
L/Cpl. William Rhead Ellis
British Army 12th Battalion, B Company Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
from:Featherstone
Pte. William Henry Ellis
British Army 2nd Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment
from:Denbigh
(d.23rd July 1917)
Pte. William Henry Ellis
British Army 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry
from:Leicester
(d.21st Mar 1918)
William Ellis fought at the Somme, he was registered missing, presumed dead. His Widow was paid £21.
Cpl. Arthur James Ellison
British Army 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry
Sgt. Cecil Harry Ellison
British Army 13th Divisional Supply Column, HQ 39th Inf. Brig. Royal Army Service Corps
from:Malvern
(d.11th Sep 1915)
My great uncle Cecil Harry Ellison enlisted in the 9th Worcesters as Pte. 13918 and was then a Sgt S4/071946 in the RASC and fought in Gallipoli, I have his letters written from there. He was evacuated to Malta with enteric fever and died there. I have two letters written by ‘Tubby’ Clayton to my grandmother,(his Sister). He is commemorated on Malvern memorial and St James’.
Sgt Cecil Ellison, was born at Malvern, the son of Mr G W Ellison, gamekeeper of Oakdale, West Malvern. He was a clerk at Messrs Lear and Son, Malvern when he enlisted in the first week of the war. He joined Kitchener's Army and was posted to the 9th Worcestershire Regiment; however in January 1915 due to his clerical skills he was transferred to the Army Service Corps as a sergeant and took up duties on the Brigade staff. He was subsequently appointed as Chief Clerk to the 39th Infantry Brigade, which went to the Dardanelles in May. He died of enteric fever at Malta on the 11th September 1915.
In 1915 Cecil was working for a solicitor, Messrs Lear & Son, in Malvern, he came home one day saying Lord Kitchener wanted a million men and he had enlisted. Auntie Joan said Maude and the family were very upset as he was under age and did not have to go (he was 16 or 17). The recruiting officers wanted educated young men for the RASC and Cecil was quickly promoted to Sergeant and worked in the brigade headquaters. It would seem he was wounded and then contracted enteric fever (cholera) which was rife on the battlefield in Gallipoli.
The Dardanelles is a 38-mile strait between the Agean and the Sea of Marmara (it used to be called The Hellespont). It was of great strategic importance as it provided a sea route to Russia. In 1915 the Allies attempted to make Turkey allow passage through. A Naval expedition in February failed. In April 1915, British, Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula and on the Asian mainland opposite. Turkish resistance was strong and after nine months the troops were withdrawn. 36,000 died and Winston Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty was blamed for its failure. ANZAC day dates from The Gallipoli Landings and has been observed since 1916
Cecil's description of the peninsular in his letters matched that of other reports of the time. He was possibly at Cape Helles which is at the tip of the peninsular. Galipoli battlefields were hell for both sides the men suffering disease and poor medical care.
When Hamiliton was replaced with Monro, he and Kitchener advised evacuation. The fighting was always horrific and from 6th to 13th of August a renewed effort was made near Krithia but this also was disaster. Cecil's last letter dated 20th August says things are "deuced lively" a massive understatement I would have thought. He mentions the stench of dead Turks around our headquarters
I visited Cecil's grave at Pieta Military Cemetery on the 23rd of January 2006. It is very well maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and there are many graves from WW1 and earlier conflicts. His grave is one of three in the same plot and he shares a memorial grave stone with two New Zealanders who died at the same time. I placed a Cross of Remembrance on the tombstone and recited the Royal British Legion exhortation for all three of them. A special remembrance service is held in Pieta cemetery each year on ANZAC Day by members of the Royal British Legion in Malta and the Australian High Commissioner. They are not forgotten.
I consider it a privilege to have had the opportunity of visiting Cecil's grave and felt that I had got to know him through his thoughtful letters to his mother and sister.
Pte. Ernest Ellison
British Army 7th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
from:Blackpool
Pte. William Ellison
British Army 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
(d.1st Jul 1916)
L/Cpl. William Ellison
British Army 1/9th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment
from:Everton Terrace
(d.31st July 1917)
In memory of my Uncle William, may God rest his soul, who died in action at Passchaendale on the 31st July 1917 at the age of 20.
Born in late 1896 into abject poverty, William Ellison was raised in social deprivation like so many of his day, he answered the call to defend his King and Country and protect their way of life.
He arrived in France on 12th March 1915 thus earning the 14-15 ‘Star’. Very little is known of his war with him being an “other rankâ€Â, but he was obviously lucky enough to survive until his unit was sent to fight the 3rd Battle of Ypres aka Passchaendale in July 1917. He is assumed to have been killed during that opening day of one of the worst battles of WW1.
Initially reported wounded, later announced as wounded and missing and eventually being listed as killed in action. His body was never found and identified properly although his contribution is recognised at the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres.
The 1/9th Batt'n War Diary reported at the time that they consisted of 16 officers and 566 “other ranks†going into the battle, 44 men were killed,193 wounded and 229 were missing, not including Officers (one of whom had to leave the trenches on day 2 because of his rheumatism?).
By the time his medals were struck and sent to his home, his mother and most siblings had died of Spanish Flu and the rest of the family had dispersed to various workhouses. Therefore, his medals, commemorative plaque etc were never delivered and consequently returned and destroyed. To add insult to injury his service records were completely destroyed (burnt series) during WW2, and his birth would appear never to have been registered so he apparently has never existed and there are no known documents or photographs existing within my family to confirm him.
RIP Uncle Bill, I am proud to have had you as my kin and I will do my best to make certain you shall never be forgotten.
Gnr. Frank Ellix
British Army 19th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
from:Highgate, London
(d.19th October 1917)
Frank Ellix is buried at the Canada Farm Cemetery.
Pte. Ogden Ellse
British Army 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers
from:Leeds
Pte. Howard Ellson
British Army 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
from:Birmingham
(d.2nd July 1916)
Howard Ellson was born 20th January 1887 in Birmingham and was killed in action on 2 July 1916 near Cuincy, Pas-de-Calais, France. Howard was married at Aston, Warwickshire in abt June 1909 to Laura Luke. Howard is the sixth child and third son of Thomas Ellson and Jane (nee Wilkinson) He appears at the age of 4 years in the census return of 1891. The family is at 134, Vaughton Street, Deritend, Birmingham. In the household is Thomas (44) as its head and a whip thong maker. Jane (39) his wife and their children. Louisa (18) a milliners apprentice; Alice (15) an umbrella maker; Jane (9); Thomas (5); Howard (4) and Warner (1)
By 1901 the family had moved to 18 Bissell Street, St Martin’s, Birmingham. Thomas (54) is still employed as a whip thong maker; Jane (49) is now listed as a shopkeeper “working on her own account from home“. (The 1889 Kelly’s Directory lists Thomas as a shopkeeper at this address) Jane (19) is a Japaneeser; Thomas (15) a tank riveter and Howard (14) a wire worker. Warner (11) is at school where he has been joined by a sister, Dora (8). Also in the household is their mother’s niece, (also) Jane Wilkinson (aged 12). Like her aunt, this Jane was born in north London. Howard married Laura Luke in abt June 1909. The couple appear on the CR of 1911 at 1/30 [one back of thirty] Highgate Street, Highgate, Birmingham. Howard (24) is a wire worker and Laura (22) the mother of a daughter, Winifred (b. 1910 in Birmingham and d. 1911 aged 1 year). Also in the household was a boarder, Matilda Harris, a tin plate worker aged 21 years. Howard and Laura had three other children, all sons. They were: William Howard, Bernard) and Leslie.
In the Great War, Howard served as a Private in the 2nd Battalion, Worcester Regiment. At the date of his enlistment, on 27 July 1915, Howard was living at Court 8, house 2 Darwin Street, Highgate, Birmingham. He was 28 years old. A brief description tells us that he was 5’ 7†tall and of fair complexion with blue eyes and light hair.
Howard Ellson is my paternal grandfather. It was in pursuit of Howard that I began this journey. I have set out his story from enlistment on 27 July 1915 to his death on 2 July 1916 in a booklet 'Somewhere Beneath a Sea of Mud' (2007). Family legend has it that Howard was killed on the opening day of the Battle on the Somme - 1 July 1916. This is supported by a memorial card which the family had printed, probably in about May 1917. It was not until 24 April 1917 that there was official confirmation from the War Office of his death. The letter read: "It is my painful duty to inform you that no further news having been received relative to (No) 24058 Pte Howard Ellson (Regiment) 2 Battn. Worcestershire Regt. who has been missing since 2-7-16, the Army Council has been regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead, and that his death took place on the 2-7-16 (or since). I am to express to you the sympathy of the Army Council with you in your loss." It seems likely that the memorial card will have been produced shortly after receipt of this letter. The relevant part of the card reads "In loving memory of Pte Howard Ellson No 24058 2nd Worcesters Killed 1st July, 1916, at the Battle of the Somme".
Neither of these 'facts' proved to be true. He was killed on 2 July 1916 whilst serving with the 2 Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment in the area of Bethune which is some 48 kilometres (30 miles) north of Bapaume - the most northerly point of the Somme battle area. He was with 2 battalion serving in C Company. At the time of his death he was in a raiding party on enemy lines at Auchy-les-la-Bassee. His death should have been commemorated on the Loos Memorial but he is one of the thousands named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. The record of 2 battalion gives the place of his death as Cuincy, a village midway between Bethune and La Bassee and the nearest village in British hands. Within a few days of his death the battalion had been moved, rather hurriedly south, to the Somme. It seems likely that all deaths after 1 July were attributed to that campaign. There is further confusion over his actual unit. Whilst most contemporary records place him with 2 battalion, those produced subsequently put him with 1 battalion. This includes those of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Bty.Sgt. Norman Griffiths Ellsworth
Australian Imperial Force 102 Howitzer Battery
from:Australia
(d.31st July 1917)
Norman Griffiths Ellsworth was born at Creswick, Victoria in 1886. He was educated at the Christ Church Grammar School in South Yarra, Melbourne and worked as a government employee with the Royal Mint. He had nine years of service with the militia, having spent time with 10th Light Horse and 5th Field Artillery prior to his enlistment in the Australian ImperialI Force on 19 August 1914. Ellsworth joined the 4th Battery, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade and departed Sydney on board HMAT Shropshire on 20th of October 1914. He was part of the crew that took the first gun ashore at Gallipoli on 25th of April 1915, and went on to serve on the Western Front in France and Belgium. He was transferred to the 21st Field Artillery Brigade on 30th of December 1916, when he was also promoted to Battery Sergeant Major. He also spent time with the 102nd and 116th Howitzer Batteries. Norman Ellsworth died of wounds received at Zillebeke in Belgium on the 31st of July 1917 and is buried at The Huts Cemetery, Belgium.
Cpl. John Townson Ellwood
British Army 8th Btn. Border Regiment
from:Kendal
(d.27th May 1918)
Pte. Mark Ellwood
British Army Seaforth Highlanders
from:County Durham
Mark Ellwood lied about his age in order to join up and go to war, he had not quite reached his 17th birthday. I have not yet found a lot of detail on his service but know from relatives that he was gassed, his lungs alway having problems since. Apparently when he returned home her was quite nervous and had shrapnel injuries.
Pte. Malcolm Henry Elmer
British Army 17th Btn. London Regiment
Malcolm Elmer joined up on the 5th of July 1915 and awarded with the Victory, British and 1915 Star medals.
Page 14 of 24
Can you help us to add to our records?
The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them
Did your relative live through the Great War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial?
If so please let us know.
Do you know the location of a Great War "Roll of Honour?"We are very keen to track down these often forgotten documents and obtain photographs and transcriptions of the names recorded so that they will be available for all to remember.
Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice.
Celebrate your own Family History
Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Great War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc.
Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.
The free section of The Wartime Memories Project is run by volunteers.
This website is paid for out of our own pockets, library subscriptions and from donations made by visitors. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources and we currently have a huge backlog of submissions.
If you are enjoying the site, please consider making a donation, however small to help with the costs of keeping the site running.
Hosted by:
The Wartime Memories Project Website
is archived for preservation by the British Library
Copyright MCMXCIX - MMXXIV
- All Rights Reserved -We do not permit the use of any content from this website for the training of LLMs or for use in Generative AI, it also may not be scraped for the purpose of creating other websites.
