John Ellis was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ellis, 70 Mold Rd. Thomas worked with railway wagons at a colliery. He and Elizabeth had 12 children before 1911, eleven living. Children at home in 1911 at Church View, Bistre were John, George, Thomas, Nellie, Arthur, Franklin, Emily. The family missing from the 1911 census were Mary, Jessie, William (who had married and left home), Elizabeth (working away in service from the age of 12). A child Edgar was born and died in 1898.
Thomas and Elizabeth’s son Arthur Ellis died in France in 1918.
An index card at the County Record Office shows that William served 4 years and 7 months in the RWF including service in France.
John’s death was recorded in the Flintshire Observer on July 8th, 1915
BUCKLEY SOLDIER KILLED. Took Part in Great Charge by Royal Welch. An official notice has been received by Mr. Thomas Ellis, 70, Mold Road, Buckley, that his son, Private John Ellis, of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, who was reported to be missing since May 16th, was killed in Action on that date. Private Ellis joined the 1st Battalion in June of last year, and sailed to France in February. During the three months he was in France he spent most of the time in the trenches. He took part in the famous charge on May 16th, when the 1st Royal Welch charged and captured the German trenches. The heavy losses sustained only emphasise the bravery of these brave men. Great sympathy is felt for the father and Mother of Private Ellis.
From Richard Johnson (grandson of Arthur’s sister Elizabeth Ellis).
“John was buried at Le Touret but the grave no longer exists after that part of the cemetery was shelled during the war”.
From the Bistre Parish Magazine, August 1915.
A Memorial Service was held in the Parish Church Sunday evening July 11th for the late Private John Ellis of the 1st Btn. RWF. Killed in Action May 16th. The Church Lads’ Brigade and the training Corps. Paraded to church to show their respect for one who died at the post of duty. The Church was crowded to it’s utmost capacity at this most prestige service and it was evident that in the background of every man’s life is true belief in the beauty of sacrifice and hope of eternal reward for duty nobly done.
The spirit which animates our brave soldiers may be seen from the dead soldier’s last letter, written on the day before his death.
Another John Ellis from Buckley, son of Joseph and Emma Ellis of Burntwood died at Ypres 31st July 1917, age 21, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. From his service record, John’s address was Lloyd’s Hills, Burntwood; he was an ironworker, enlisted 19th March 1915 age 19, next of kin Mary Jones (aunt). His medals were issued to William Ellis Brook St. (brother). This John Ellis is commemorated on the plaque in St. John’s Congregational Church. I have assigned this John Ellis to the plaque because Arthur Ellis (Brother of the other John) is not on the plaque. Likewise, it seems improbable that whoever provided names for the Buckley Memorial would have included only one of two brothers. It could have been an oversight that the designers of the Memorial did not understand that there were two John Ellis.
John William Ellis is also on the Buckley Memorial
