Harry Ellis was baptised in the Flint Parish Church on the 16th August 1914, the son of Richard & Frances Ellis (nee Malkin), who had married on the 23rd November 1911, Richard Ellis, 26, was a bachelor and Labourer, his abode was 7, Bennett’s Row, Flint and his father, Edward Ellis was deceased. His bride, Frances Malkin, 29 and Spinster lived at Oakenholt, Flints and her father was Josiah Malkin, Butcher. Their witnesses were Jesse Jones, Mary Elizabeth Ellis & Margaret Ann Jones.
By the 1921 census the family had grown a lot, and they were living now at New Western Terrace, Oakenholt, Flint, Flintshire. Head of the household was Richard Ellis, now 38 years and 1 month old, he was a Boiler Furnaceman (Fire Man) at The North Wales Paper Company, Oakenholt. His wife, Frances Ellis was now 40 years and 7 months old and was doing “Home Duties.” Their children were Edward Ellis, 9 years 6 months old, Harry Ellis, 6 years 11 months old, Beatrice Ellis, 4 years 3 months old and Bertram Ellis age 1 year. All the family had been born in Flint, Flintshire.
I don’t know when Harry met his new wife Rachel Ann William, , but he was eventually to marry her on the 12th November 1938 at St. Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay and this document confirms Harry’s father, who was Richard Ellis, a Paper Worker, his address had been 409, Chester Road, Oaken Holt, Flint. Whereas Rachel’s father was David Williams, a Tailor and her address had been 19, Bryn Road, Connah’s Quay. David’s brother Thomas Bertram and Rachel’s sister Hilda May were witnesses.
The 1939 National Register was taken on the 29th September 1939 and we see both of the bridal couple living at “Haulfryn”, Mold Road, Connah’s Quay. This source gives us their dates of birth and Harry had been born on the 10th July 1914 and a Concrete General Labourer. Rachel Ann had been born on the 28th February 1913 and as a married woman, who did not have a job, was described as doing “Unpaid Domestic Duties.”
The 1939 National Register was taken on the 29th September 1939 and Rachel’s parents were living at 19 Bryn Road , Connah’s Quay, he father, David Williams, was a Ladies & Gents Tailor and had been born on the 9th October 1880, her mother, Sarah Jane Williams was again doing “Unpaid Domestic Duties,” and had been born on the 27th January 1889. Rachel Ann’s sister Hilda M. Williams had been born on the 19th June 1914 and was single and a Silk Worker (Twisting). I believe that Hilda M. Williams was to marry Joseph S. Armitage at St. Mark’s Church Connah’s Quay in 1941 (Flintshire (Mold) C104/06/E49)
The 1939 National Register was taken on the 29th September 1939 and Harry’s family were living at 409 Chester Road , Flint, Flintshire. Head of the household was Richard Ellis, who had been born on the 11th July, 1885 and was a Stoker in the Paper Mill, Frances Ellis, his wife, had been born on the13th November 1882 and was doing “Unpaid Domestic Duties. Bertam T. Ellis had been born on the 15th May 1920 and was a Winding Machine Attendant In Art Silk Factory and was single.
According to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Enlistment Register, Harry enlisted on the 30th May 1940 and it states that he rejoined on the 4th August 1941 and also Transferred – Loyal Regiment 14th February 1941, which I do not understand, as he is listed as with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on the CWGC database, he could of course been transferred back to the R.W.F., it also states that he was Presumed Missing and Presumed Killed in Burma 18th March 1943.
To give a little history, although I am not an historian, it might help to read the websites – https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/royal-welch-fusiliers
Excerpt from the above : –
The Second World War (1939-45) saw 1st Battalion serve in France in 1940, before being evacuated from Dunkirk. Two years later, it moved to India and Burma, taking part in the defence of Kohima (1944). 2nd Battalion also served in India and Burma during 1943-45, but also took part in the invasion of Madagascar in 1942.
Also : – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Welch_Fusiliers
Excerpt from the above : –
Second World War; Regular Army
The regiment was awarded 27 battle honours for World War II, with more than 1,200 fusiliers killed in action or died of wounds.[67]
During the Second World War, the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was a Regular Army unit and part of the 6th Infantry Brigade, assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division. It served in France in 1940 with the British Expeditionary Force.[68] The battalion fought in the short but fierce battles of France and Belgium and was forced to retreat and be evacuated during the Dunkirk evacuation. After two years spent in the United Kingdom, waiting and preparing for the invasion that never came (Operation Sea Lion), the 1st RWF and the rest of 2nd Division were sent to British India to fight the Imperial Japanese Army after a string of defeats inflicted upon the British and Indian troops. The battalion was involved in the Burma Campaign, particularly the Battle of Kohima, nicknamed Stalingrad of the East due to the ferocity of fighting on both sides, that helped to turn the tide of the campaign in the South East Asian theatre.[69]
Both battalions came under the command of Lieutenant-General Bill Slim, commander of the British Fourteenth Army. This was known as the ‘Forgotten Fourteenth,’ allegedly because it fought in a theatre that seemed largely unnoticed and had little importance to the war.[71]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourteenth_Army_(United_Kingdom)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fourteenth Army (United Kingdom)
The British Fourteenth Army was a multi-national force comprising units from Commonwealth countries during the Second World War. As well as British Army units, many of its units were from the Indian Army and there were also significant contributions from British Army’s West and East African divisions. It was often referred to as the “Forgotten Army” because its operations in the Burma Campaign were overlooked by the contemporary press, and remained more obscure than those of the corresponding formations in Europe for long after the war. For most of the Army’s existence, it was commanded by Lieutenant-General William Slim.
Creation
The army was formed in 1943 in eastern India. At least two sources report the story of Lord Louis Mountbatten‘s first or one of his initial meetings with Lieutenant General William Slim, then General Officer Commanding XV Corps. Slim reportedly told Mountbatten “..Let’s change this ghastly name Eastern Army. Let’s just get a number.”[1]
With the creation of South East Asia Command in late 1943, the Eastern Army which formerly controlled operations against the Japanese Army in Burma and also had large rear-area responsibilities, was split into two. Eastern Command (reporting to GHQ India) took over the rear areas of Bihar, Odisha and most of Bengal. Fourteenth Army, part of the British 11th Army Group, became responsible for operations against the Japanese.
The Army’s commander was Lieutenant-General William Slim. Its principal subordinate formations were IV Corps in Assam and XV Corps in Arakan. During the early part of 1944, the Army also had loose operational control over the American and Chinese Northern Combat Area Command, and the Chindits operating behind enemy lines under Major General Orde Wingate.
On Casualty List 1109 (Page 13) Harry was “Missing” on the same day (18th March 1943) that John Cooper (who is also named on the Connah’s Quay & Shotton War Memorial, please click on the link to read his story) was listed as “Missing, believed Wounded” and later “Presumed Killed in Action” on that day. They were both in the same Regiment.
Casualty List No. 2010 (Soldiers and Auxiliaries) (Copy No. 74)
(This list contains all casualties reported to the War Office Casualty Branch for the 24 hours ended 9 am 14th March 1946.)
Previously Reported Missing now Presumed Killed in Action.
1st Bn., Royal Welsh Fusiliers
4201912 ELLIS, Fus. H. ( Previous List 1109) Missing 18th March 1943 – Date of Casualty 18th March 1943.
Taken from the Commonwealth Graves Commission Website History Information for the Rangoon Memorial: –
The memorial was unveiled by General Sir Francis Festing, Commander in Chief of the Far East Land Forces on 9 February 1958. Among those present were more than 50 of the relatives of those commemorated on the memorial, who travelled from the United Kingdom.
In his address, General Festing said the memorial presents a picture of a simple truth – that of a multitude of men of many races and widely differing faiths, who gave their lives in a common cause.
If anyone can add to his story please contact the website.
