No.201468, Private, Robert Henry ELLIS
Aged 39
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Born 1879 in Bury St.Edmunds (2nd qtr 4a:600) son of (née FROST)
1881 census...Aged 2, he was at 66 Guildhall Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Joseph ELLIS [39] plumber/glazier; his mother Sabina [27]; brother Joseph[3]; sister Eliza [under 8 months]. All were born in Bury St Edmunds 1891 census...Aged 11 [sic] he was at 28 Brackland, Bury St Edmunds with his uncle Roert ELLIS [47] pork butcher and widowed grandmother Eliza ELLIS [76]. At 66 Guildhall Street were his parents; brothers Joseph [12] and Ernest G [7]; sisters Eliza J [9] and Martha M [6]. 1901 census...Aged 22 he was an assistant pork butcher at 8 Brentgovel Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his uncle Robert. His widower father, sister Eliza and brother Joseph (carpenter) were at 66 Guildhall Street 1911 census...Aged 32, a farmer, he was at Maynard House, Bradfield St.Clare with just a housekeeper. Brother Joseph was at Horringer with his cousin Geore Backhouse and his wife Ada. |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. His sister Eliza (Mrs Bateman) was his sole legatee. He died at No.20 Casualty Clearing Station at Warlincourt. Zero hour on 23rd April was fixed for 04:45, the British attacking on a 9 mile front.The 4th Suffolk with two companies in the front line and two in support were to attack southwards down its trenches as far as the Sensee valley, and then link up with the brigade making a frontal attack on that part of the Hindenburg line. Some were detailed to mop up in the tunnel, an almost impossible task, driving the Germans back on the surface as well as underground. All was well at first, pushing forward to the edge of the valley they brought in 650 prisoners, a grenatenwerfer and 5 machine gun. 'A' company was within 200 yards of the Sensee valley, 'D' company almost level with them. The enemy counter attacked vigorously and the two companies, unsupported on their flanks were forced to fall back. The tunnel now proved to be the weakness as it concealed a large force which surfaced when the counter attack began. Cut off, part of 'D' company withdrew across country. The maze of communications and support trenches, impossible to guard or even watch, gave the Germans excellent cover. Despite reinforcement from 2 companies of the 5th Scottish Rifles 'C' and 'D' companies had to withdraw to their original starting position by 3 pm. Twice during the day even Battalion HQ was forced to man the parapet. Another barricade was hastily constructed to the rear and a fresh attack was even being launched at 6pm, but was cancelled. The enemy retaliated vigorously, but it quietened down by 10 pm. This small operation had cost the battalion 74 dead, only 14 having identified graves. On anecdote passed down fro this action was the reply of one of the bantams when asked how he had single handedly captured bout 70 Germans "I just surrounded them" he said. The battalion had captured about 650 un-wounded, 5 machine guns and one trench mortar.
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