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WW1 In Memoriam / Ellis Brothers, Burwell, Cambridgeshire
« on: Monday 20 October 14 17:45 BST (UK) »
As a child my grandmother had told me that several of her brothers had died in WW1 and researching this was a priority for me when I begun researching my family history.
At the start of World War One my Great Grandparents Howarth and Kezia Ellis from Burwell had 5 sons. Joseph had already joined the navy before the war and William joined the army soon after it started. Albert and James both joined the army during or soon after the war. Thomas was only born in 1910 and was too young to serve. Soon after the end of the war only Thomas was left alive. All four brothers were aged 20 – 22 when they died. A situation that I’m sure was echoed in many families across the nation during those times.
Joseph Howarth Ellis b 1894 had joined the navy before the war and in 1914 was serving as a stoker on HMS Bulwark. On November 26th 1914 the battleship, whilst at anchorage in Sheerness harbour, was completely destroyed by internal explosions in her magazine and shell rooms. She sank with the loss of 730 lives. Few bodies were recovered, those that were are buried in the Naval Burial Ground at Woodlands Cemetery Gillingham. The site of the wreck is also protected according to the Military Remains Act. Those not recovered are commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Southsea, Hampshire, Joseph is on Panel 4.
William Ellis b 1896 had joined the Royal Field Artillery and by 1918 had achieved the rank of Sergeant. He was killed towards the end of WW1 on 13th April 1918 at the Battle of the Lys (Operation Georgette), the German Spring Offensive. He was one of 220 thousand from both sides who lost their lives in the 20 days of the offensive. His unit was based at Bac St Maur Bridge which was a strategic bridge over the River Lys just outside Sailly-sur-la-Lys at the time but I believe he died in the area of Strazeele/Klite Hill. He is buried in Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, Grave Reference I.F.6. I visited there in 2007.
Albert Ellis b 1900 was serving in the 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars as a Private. After the end of WW1 he was serving in Egypt and was taken ill with a disease which he died of on 7th February 1921. He was classified as a war casualty and is buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery Grave Reference P 115
James Simpson Ellis was born in 1902 and due to his age probably joined the army after the end of the war and was serving in The Royal Horse Artillery. During his service he appeared in the Royal Tournament in 1922. He died on 31st March 1923 in Cambridge Hospital Aldershot after being bitten by his horse and the wound became poisoned. He was buried with full military honours at St Mary’s Church Burwell. There is no headstone as far as I’m aware.
More details, photos, etc at
https://colinbuckle.wordpress.com/genealogy/test/the-ellis-family-ww1/
At the start of World War One my Great Grandparents Howarth and Kezia Ellis from Burwell had 5 sons. Joseph had already joined the navy before the war and William joined the army soon after it started. Albert and James both joined the army during or soon after the war. Thomas was only born in 1910 and was too young to serve. Soon after the end of the war only Thomas was left alive. All four brothers were aged 20 – 22 when they died. A situation that I’m sure was echoed in many families across the nation during those times.
Joseph Howarth Ellis b 1894 had joined the navy before the war and in 1914 was serving as a stoker on HMS Bulwark. On November 26th 1914 the battleship, whilst at anchorage in Sheerness harbour, was completely destroyed by internal explosions in her magazine and shell rooms. She sank with the loss of 730 lives. Few bodies were recovered, those that were are buried in the Naval Burial Ground at Woodlands Cemetery Gillingham. The site of the wreck is also protected according to the Military Remains Act. Those not recovered are commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Southsea, Hampshire, Joseph is on Panel 4.
William Ellis b 1896 had joined the Royal Field Artillery and by 1918 had achieved the rank of Sergeant. He was killed towards the end of WW1 on 13th April 1918 at the Battle of the Lys (Operation Georgette), the German Spring Offensive. He was one of 220 thousand from both sides who lost their lives in the 20 days of the offensive. His unit was based at Bac St Maur Bridge which was a strategic bridge over the River Lys just outside Sailly-sur-la-Lys at the time but I believe he died in the area of Strazeele/Klite Hill. He is buried in Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, Grave Reference I.F.6. I visited there in 2007.
Albert Ellis b 1900 was serving in the 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars as a Private. After the end of WW1 he was serving in Egypt and was taken ill with a disease which he died of on 7th February 1921. He was classified as a war casualty and is buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery Grave Reference P 115
James Simpson Ellis was born in 1902 and due to his age probably joined the army after the end of the war and was serving in The Royal Horse Artillery. During his service he appeared in the Royal Tournament in 1922. He died on 31st March 1923 in Cambridge Hospital Aldershot after being bitten by his horse and the wound became poisoned. He was buried with full military honours at St Mary’s Church Burwell. There is no headstone as far as I’m aware.
More details, photos, etc at
https://colinbuckle.wordpress.com/genealogy/test/the-ellis-family-ww1/
