Private 52067 Joseph Ellis

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 1st Kings
• Died on Friday 23rd August 1918
• Commemorated at: Bucquoy Rd Cem Ficheux
  Panel Ref: VI.C.11

Joseph was born on 14th May 1895 the son of John William Ellis and his wife Catherine (nee Rogan). He was baptised at St Francis Xavier's Church in Everton on 25th May 1895.

The 1901 Census finds the family living at 18 Lampeter Road, Anfield, Liverpool. Joseph is five years of age. His father is a 36 year old drapers assistant born in Ireland in 1865, whilst his mother is 42 years of age and was born in Liverpool in 1859. He has two brothers; John W aged 7, born in Liverpool in 1894 and Alfred aged 2 also born in Liverpool in 1899.  

On the 1911 Census the family remain at 18 Lampeter Road. Joseph is now aged 15, and employed as an assistant paper hanger. Both parents are presnt in the household and state that they have been married for 19 years and have had five children, two of whom have sadly died. His siblings listed at the property are; John W. 17 years of age and an assistant printer and Alfred a 12 year old schoolboy.  

He enlisted in Liverpool joining the 19th Battalion as Private 52067.

Joseph was wounded most likely during the fighting at Transloy Ridges as he received injuries to his right arm on 19th October at Flers which saw him hospitalised at the 18th General Hospital on 22nd October 1916. A transfer date of 25th October is recorded as well as a reference to a Hospital ship suggesting he returned to the UK for treatment. It is highly likely that upon his return to duty overseas that he transferred to the 1st Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. 

He was killed in action with the 1st Battalion K.L.R. during the fighting collectively known as the 100 day offensive. His date of death held by CWGC is between 23rd - 25th August 1918. 
The 1st Battalion were engaged in fighting at Mory Copse details of which are provided by Everard Wyrall in Volume III of his History of The King's Regiment:

The attack was launched at 11am on 23rd August and the 1st Kings led the advance on the left of the brigade. Behind a tremendous barrage the battalion moved forward on a 600 yard frontage - "A", "B" and "D" Companies in front with "C" Company in reserve. The whippet tanks were behind, ready to come up when required. About mid-day saw Ervillers in the hands of the King's and South Staffords, who proceeded to consolidate the village. It was not, however, all plain sailing, and, owing to the very severe enemy machine gun fire from Mory Copse - Hally Copse ridge, it was found impossible to establish posts clear of the eastern edge of the village, as had been ordered. Heavy shelling was experienced from 2pm until dark, and during the night determined attempts were made to capture Mory Copse and village but without result. 

At 4.30 am on the 24th, fourteen small patrols of Kingsmen- six to eight men strong- were sent out towards the ridge, but the only result of these moves was further casualties, particularly amongst officers. At about 9am "C" Company on the left, saw the Guards Division advancing unopposed, and went forward with the idea of prolonging their right flank. This attack was, however, soon severely checked by machine gun fire, and at about 11:30am  "C" Company was withdrawn. "B" and "D" Companies now set out on a renewed effort to capture Mory Copse, when at about 2.30pm news reached Lieutenant Colonel D. M. King that the 99th Brigade was going to launch an attack at 3.30pm. On receipt of this information Colonel King checked the advance of these companies, but did not withdraw them, partly to prevent the Boche coming any closer, and partly because there was no time in which to re-organise these exhausted men, who had been fighting and patrolling continuously for twenty eight hours. When the 99th Brigade was seen sweeping forward the two companies of the King's, now reduced to two officers and 140 other ranks raced forward in a south easterly direction.

Mory Copse however was still uncaptured, and so the King's - in the words of the Commanding Officer - "seeing that the attack obviously required an impulse, chanced a flank move." Wheeling left, they swept up the hillside, and with cheers of "King's,"  the men, though obviously worn out tore across the railway line and, aided by the 1st Royal Berkshires, carried Mory Copse. 

On the night of August 24th/25th the King's were withdrawn, four officers and 257 men coming out unwounded. Two officers, Lieutenants W. J. A. Pratt and R.T. Reese were killed, fourteen officers wounded and there were270 other rank casualties.     

Joseph now rests at Bucquoy Road Cemetery.

In November 1916, the village of Ficheux was behind the German front line, but by April 1917, the German withdrawal had taken the line considerably east of the village and in April and May, the VII Corps Main Dressing Station was posted near for the Battles of Arras. It was followed by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, which remained at Boisleux-au-Mont until March 1918, and continued to use the Bucquoy Road Cemetery begun by the field ambulances. From early April to early August 1918 the cemetery was not used but in September and October, the 22nd, 30th and 33rd Casualty Clearing Stations came to Boisleux-au-Mont and extended it. By the date of the Armistice, it contained 1,166 burials but was greatly increased when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and from small cemeteries in the neighbourhood. 

The cemetery now contains 1,901 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 168 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 23 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate 21 casualties buried by their comrades in Henin-sur-Cojeul German Cemetery, whose graves could not be found on concentration.

The cemetery was used again in May 1940 for the burial of troops killed during the German advance. There are 136 burials and commemorations of the Second World War; 26 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate 39 soldiers whose graves in the cemetery could not be specifically located.         

Following Joseph's death his Soldiers Effects were sent to his father John W., whilst the Pension was awarded to his mother Catherine. 

Joseph's death was reported via a family notice in the Liverpool Echo on 10th September 1918

ELLIS - August 23-25, killed in action, Signaller JOE ELLIS (Our Joe), K.L.R. - Sadly missed by Dad, Mam, John, Alf and our Kitty, 18 Lampeter Road, Anfield.

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