I start this with reservations as on the Gravestone is the Inscription:-
“THO’ OUR YEARS BE MANY OR FEW EACH WILL BE SPENT REMEMBERING YOU. LOVING WIFE, JUNE & DAVID”
However, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives the name of the George Arthur ELLSON’s wife as F.J. ELLSON from Connah’s Quay, so this might not be the right story or indeed the right people, but most of the facts fit in, except of course the name of the bride of George Arthur, who could, of course, have preferred the name June to Frances Jane, or perhaps her name was Frances June.???? Her signature on their marriage certificate does say June. She is referred to as Jane on the 1921 census.
Any information would be appreciated, especially re George Arthur’s wife’s name.
I believe that George Arthur Ellison (Ellson) was born on the 23rd February 1915, according to the 1939 National Register. He was the son of Henry and Emma Bevan Ellson (nee Crawford). I believe that they had married in Chorlton, Lancashire in the June quarter of 1897 (Chorlton Vol. 8c Page 1390). The certificate would have to be purchased to confirm or deny.
The 1911 census shows us that they were living at 35, Lyon Street, Chester. Henry Ellson, was head of the household age 34 and married 14 years, he was a Storekeeper in the Engineering Dept. of a Motor Garage, but “Out of Work,” and Emma, also 34 years old, tells us that they had 5 children born to them, all still living. They were, Albert Ellson, age 12, Beatrice Ellson, 9, Joseph Ellson, 8, Gertrude Ellson, 5 and Percy Ellson, age 2 years.
Harold was born circa 1912 (Chester Vol. 8a Page 708) and George Arthur circa 1915 (Chester Vol. 8a, Page 65.) All the children were born in Chester. So according to this George Arthur was their youngest son.
I do not have any information about George Arthur’s early years, so any information would be gratefully received.
The 1921 census tells us that the family were living at Yellow Row, Pentre, Hawarden and the family had grown. Henry Ellson was now age 47 years and 6 months old and was an Engineers Storekeeper at Creichtons & Co., Saltney. Emma Bevan Ellson’s age was exactly the same and was doing “Home Duties.” Beatrice Ellson was 19 years and 6 months old, single and a Spinner at W.T. Davies & Sons, Tobacco Works., Canal Street, Chester. Joseph Ellson was 18 years old, single and a Carter for Henry Lanceley Son & Coo., Engineering Works, Brook Street, Chester. Gertrude Ellson, was 16 years and one month old, single and “Out of Work.” Percy Ellson was 12 years and 8 months old, Harold Ellson was 9 years and 4 months old and George Ellson was 6 years and 2 months old and were in school “Whole Time.” All the family had been born in Chester, Cheshire.
George had met Frances Jane Hughes and eventually married her on the 11th of April 1936 at St. Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay. George Arthur ELLSON was 21 and a bachelor, he was an Ironworker and his address was 18, Back Queen Street, Chester*. His father Henry Ellson was deceased but had been a Storekeeper. George Arthur’s bride was Frances Jane Hughes, also 21 years old and a Spinster. Her address was 3, Princess Street, Connah’s Quay, her father, Robert Arnold Hughes was a Brickmaker. Their witnesses were Rosanna JONES and Harold ELLSON, (probably George Arthur’s brother).
*This matches the address of his parents on the 1927 Electoral Roll.
Just over 3 years later they are seen on the 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th September 1939. They were at 34, Wellington Street , Chester (Near Back Brook Street). (Another lady lived here, Sarah BARTNELL, single, born 6th July 1900, General Dealer Grocery & Sweets, I suspect they were in “Rooms” as they used to say.) It is this source that give George Arthur’s date of birth of 23rd February 1915 and Frances J. ’s as 10th August 1914. His occupation is given as a Metal Window Maker.
However, George Arthur’s Casualty Form No. 1673, Page 7, tells us that George Arthur was Killed in Action on the 18th January 1945 (First day of the action described below.) and sadly I have not found any more of his Army papers that may help tell his story.
The History Information on CWGC tells a little more:-
The burials in the cemetery, apart from a few dating from November 1944, are almost all from the months of January and February 1945. The men buried here belong mostly to the Scottish regiments of the 52nd (Lowland) Division, engaged in the battle in this vicinity from 18th to 24th January 1945, which had as its object the clearing of a salient west of the River Roer which was still held by the Germans. There are now over 230 1939-1945 War casualties commemorated in this site.
So it seems that George Arthur was killed on the first day of the battle.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Light_Infantry
Second World War
The 5th and 6th Battalions landed in France as part of the 157th Brigade in the 52nd (Lowland) Division in June 1940; after evacuation from Cherbourg later in the month, they landed in Belgium in October 1944 and took part in Operation Infatuate in November 1944 and the subsequent capture of Bremen in April 1945.[13]
The 11th Battalion was converted to armour in 1942, becoming the 156th Regiment in the Royal Armoured Corps, but with the men retaining their Highland Light Infantry cap badges on the black beret of the RAC.[14]
After the War
The Highland Light Infantry was amalgamated with the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1959 to form the Royal Highland Fusiliers. The regular 1st battalions of the two Regiments combined at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh to form the 1st Battalion of the new regiment (1 RHF).[15]
Also https://www.combinedops.com/Walcheren.htm – ~OPERATION INFATUATE ~ WALCHEREN – 1 to 8 NOV 1944
George Arthur is commemorated twice on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database, as he served under the name of Ellison and well as Ellson, his true family name. Please click on the links.
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2055264/george-arthur-ellison/
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2055265/george-arthur-ellson/
