No. 85245, Sergeant, William ELLIS
Aged 23
|
William Ellis was born in Newmarket (Newmarket Q2-1894 3B:515), son of Howarth and Kezia ELLIS (née BISHOP).
1901 census...Aged 5, he was at High Street, Burwell with his father Howarth ELLIS [33] hairdresser, born Rochdale, Lancashire; his mother Kezia [29] born Burwell; brothers Joseph [6] born Newmarket, and Albert William [1] born Ware, Herts, and sister Isabella [3] born in Newmarket. 1911 census...Aged 15, a apprentice hairdresser, he was at High Street, Burwell with his parents; brother Joseph Howarth (cow boy), brother Albert William and sisters Isabella Mary, Winifred Louise [6] and Constance [3] both born in Burwell; brothers James Simpson [9] and Thomas Frederick [11 months], both born in Burwell. He was the younger brother of Joseph Howarth ELLIS who died on HMS Bulwark in 1914 see here and elder brother of Albert William ELLIS who died in Egypt in 1921 see here |
|
He enlisted in Newmarket.
The 13th April 1918 was a defining day in the battle of Hazebrouck. The Germans were pushing hard to take Bailleul, Meteren and on to Nieppe forest, but stubborn British resistance meant they did not enjoy the speed of forward movement previously encountered in their Spring Offensive (The Kaiserschlacht). The exact position of 64th Brigade, RFA has not yet been found, however William Ellis was unlucky enough to be the only member of 64th Brigade to die that day. |
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details