South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private Z/2429 William Joshua ELLIS - 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade


Killed in Action on Saturday 1st July 1916 aged 18


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Thiepval Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
29 Jul 1915 in France ~ Newbold on Avon
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials 
Battle of the Somme
3 Sep 1914 in Rugby ~
   
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
near Mailly Maillet ~  
     

Circumstances of Death

William is listed as having been killed in action on or about 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The 1st Battalion war diary for July 1916 mentions 6 attached reports and documents including a but none of them seem to have made it into the final document held by the National Archives. The very short war entry for the 1 Jul 1 is transcribed below.

30-1st July 1916: Battalion takes up positions in the assembly trenches.

1st July 1916: Battalion assaults German front line positions. Report by Major Barclay attached. Relieved on night of 1st-2nd July by R.W. Riding Regiment (Dk of Wellington). Proceeded to billets in Mailly Maillet. END

Casualties: 20 officers, 454 other ranks of which 180 were killed or died of wounds. The CO, Lt Col Wood, and the Adjutant were both killed.



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Jul Qtr 1897 in Rugby District 5 Sep 1897 at Harborough Magna
   
Parents Names Abode
James William and Kate Ellis Park Cottages, Newbold on Avon
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1897 - Harborough Magna 1911 - Shop assistant (Greengrocer)
1901 - Park Cottages, Newbold on Avon 1914 - Labourer
1911 - Park Cottages, Newbold on Avon  
1914 - Park Cottages, Newbold on Avon