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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment
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€, 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.
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