Name
Ben Ellis
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/02/1917
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
B/20409
Royal Fusiliers *1
23rd (County of London) (Service) Bn. (1st Sportsman's) *1
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 9A and 16A.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Christ Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Edward James and Charlotte (nee HULETT) ELLIS; husband of Doris Amy Barham (nee HAINES-WOOD) ELLIS of Watford.
His parents married 30 September 1883 at St Mary’s, Watford. Charlotte died 1930 in the Luton, Beds, district aged 73; Edward died 21 September 1945 in Luton aged 86.
Ben was born 27 November 1887 in Watford, and baptised 18 June 1890 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended Callowland Board School, Watford, from 3 May 1897 to 6 May 1901. He married 21 September 1910 at Christ Church, Watford; they had two children. He resided in Watford. Doris never remarried, she died 24 July 1958 in Watford aged 72, and was buried 29 July in North Watford Cemetery.
On the 1891 Census, aged 3 he lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1901 Census, aged 13 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1911 Census, a commercial clerk aged 23, he still lived in Watford, with his wife and no children.
Wartime Service
He enlisted at St Paul’s Churchyard, London, E.C.; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Ben in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 24 March 1917; as well as an In Memoriam in the issue dated 15 February 1919.
Unfortunately, Ben’s Service record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London) Bn. London Regiment.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
