Edward Ellison

Name

Edward Ellison
2 November 1893

Conflict

First World War

Date of Death / Age

20/01/1916
23

Rank, Service Number & Service Details

Lance Corporal
R/7355
King's Royal Rifle Corps
8th Bn.

Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards

Not Yet Researched

Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country

LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
II. C. 31A
Belgium

Headstone Inscription

Faithful unto death

UK & Other Memorials

Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin

Pre War

He was born on the 2nd November 1893 in Alton in Hants. the son of James George and Elizabeth Fanny Ellison (b 2/11/1893, née Culverwell), of Alton, Hants; husband of Susan Ellison, of "Penlee," Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.  He was educated at the National School in Alton. On the 14th November 1914 he enlisted in Hammersmith while resident in Hitchin.

In 1901 the family were living at Eight Bells Inn, Church Street, Alton, Hants. Present were both parents: James (55) and Elizabeth Fanny (35). Their children were: James Albert (11), Fanny (9), Edward (7), William George (5) and Elizabeth Hannah (3), also was a boarder named Francis Wickens.

By 1911 Edward’s family were living at 33 Church St, Alton. Present were both parents, James now working as a general labourer. The census recorded they had been married for 23 years with 6 children all living. Of the children listed above only William and Elizabeth were present, however a new sibling, Rosie (9) was present.

It is possible that Edward was a footman at Hall Place, Westmeon, Petersfield, Hants., for Agatha Hoare, however although the birth location listed matches the age given is not quite right.

He married Susan, second daughter of the late Charles Hunt of Hitchin, in Abbey Church Minster, Sheerness on the 22nd July 1915 and their home was at 33, The Wratten, Hitchin. They had no children. He was the second son of James George and Elizabeth Fanny Ellison nee Culverwell of ‘Penlee’, Station Ave, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. His father was a painter and decorator.

Officially Edward was recorded as born in Alton, Hants, resident of Hitchin, Herts., when he enlisted in Hammersmith.

Wartime Service

Edward joined the 8th Battalion and was given Regimental Number R/7355. He trained at Winchester and Sheerness and on the 29th December 1915 he went to the Western Front. On the 19th January 1916 he was wounded in the head whilst in charge of a carrying party at the Canal Bank, Ypres. He was admitted to 17 Casualty Clearing Station in a critical condition and died shortly after.

Sergt. Knight, of his Company wrote: “He was one of the nest men I ever had under me.”

He was buried in Plot 2, Row C, Grave 31A in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. A private inscription has been added to his gravestone reading "Faithful unto death". This was ordered by his widow, Mrs S Ellison, while living at "Penlee," Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.

Additional Information

His pension cards record his widow, as his next of kin, living at Froyle House, Alton, Hants. She was awarded a pension of 10s a week from 7 August 1916.

Edward is also commemorated on a separate stone, sited on the grave of Sarah Hunt in the Hitchin Cemetery, it reads:

Acknowledgments

Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild