Pte 17050 Emrys Ellis

• Age: 21
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• Died Tuesday 5th January 1915
• Commemorated at: Toxteth Park Cem Liverpool
  Panel Ref: O.NC.629

Born in the second quarter of 1894 in Liverpool as Griffith Emrys Ellis, he was the sixth of seven children born to Hugh Ellis and his wife Jane (nee Hughes)who were born in Caernarvon and Anglesey respectively.

In 1901, the family lives at 7 Bloom Street, Liverpool. Griffiith Emrys is 7 years of age and lives with his parents and  6 siblings. His father, Hugh aged 51, runs his own joinery business, helped by two of his sons, whilst his mother is aged 42. His siblings, all born in Liverpool are shown as; Hugh born 1880 a clerk in a provision warehouse, Robert George born 1882 a clerk in a shipping office, David J. born 1883 a joiner,  William H. born 1886 also a joiner, Jane C. born 1893 and Edith H. born 1899. Also present is a boarder. 

In 1911, Hugh and Jane, with five of their children, including Emrys who is 16 years old and employed as a junior shipping clerk, live at 84 Myrtle Street, Liverpool. His siblings also living at home are listed as; David, William, Jenny (Jane), and Edith. There is also a visitor recorded at the property. 

On 31^st August 1914, Emrys enlisted at Liverpool joining the 18^th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17050. 

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when the Battalion moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall.

On 07^th December 1914, he was admitted to the David Lewis Northern Hospital in Liverpool, suffering from a temporal abscess, dying on 05^th January 1915. He was 20 years of age.

He now rests at Toxteth Park Cemetery.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 06th January 1915

ELLIS - January 5, at the Northern Hospital, aged 20 years, Private Emrys Ellis, 2nd City Battalion, the beloved son of Mr and Mrs Ellis, 84 Myrtle Street. Funeral at Smithdown Road Cemetery tomorrow (Saturday) at 2.30pm. Cortege leaves residence 2 p.m.

It was also covered in great detail in the Liverpool Daily Post on 11th January 1915: 

PRIVATE G. EMRYS ELLIS

In the presence of numerous assembly of mourners, the funeral took place on Saturday at Smithdown Road Cemetery of Mr G. Emrys Ellis, son of Mr and Mrs Hugh Ellis, of 84 Myrtle Street, whose death occurred last Tuesday at the Northern Hospital at the age of 20 years. Previous to joining the "Pals", Mr Ellis was on the staff of the forward in department of Messrs. Elder, Dempster and Co. Ltd, and was also a member of the choir of the Welsh Congregational Church ,Grove Street. He was a private attached to the 13th Platoon, No. 4 Company of the 2nd City Battalion the King's Liverpool Regiment, and the funeral was of a semi-military character. The oak casket was draped with the Union Jack and the open hearse was covered in a profusion of beautiful floral tributes. The cortege proceeded to the cemetery at a walking pace, accompanied by a number of the deceased's late comrades, the Officer in command being Lieutenant Clayton and Sergeant Major Walters. The firing party marching in front with reversed arms and being in charge of Sgt Price. The service was conducted by the Rev. David Adams B.A. of Grove Street Welsh Congregational Church, and at the conclusion of the customary three volleys were fired over the grave, the bugle sounding the last post. The chief mourners were Mr Hugh Ellis (father), Miss J. C. Ellis, Miss E. H. Ellis, and Mrs H Evans (sisters), Mr R. G. Ellis and Mr D. J. Ellis (brothers). Among the large number of floral tributes were wreaths from the Officers of the 4th Company, 18th Service Battalion, comrades of the 13th Platoon, Messrs. Elder, Dempster and Co Ltd, principals and staff, forwarding department, members of Grove Street Sunday School Class and Sunday School Guild, Young People's Social Girls, Mr T. A. Lloyd and Co. The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. Thomas Porter and Sons of Toxteth Park.

His father later received his son’s medals - the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Soldiers Effects to his next of kin Jane Ellis, no Pension record has been found

Emrys had an older brother, Hugh, born 1880, who served with the Canadian Army Medical Corps.

The following is transcribed from a headstone in Toxteth Park Cemetery, Liverpool: -

In loving memory of Private. Emrys Ellis, (18th Battn K.L.R. Pals.) beloved son of Hugh and Jane Ellis died 3rd January 1915. Also David, his beloved brother, lost at sea November 1915 aged 32 years. ‘Dy ewyllys di a wneler.’ Er gof serchog am Hugh, annwyl briod Jane ELLIS, bu farw 20 Awst 1923, yn 74 mlwydd oed. ‘Dy ffordd sydd yn y mor, ac nid adweinir dy ol.’

The translation for which is:

'Your will is done.' In loving memory of Hugh, dear husband of Jane ELLIS, died 20 August 1923, aged 74. 'Your way is in the morn, and your way is not redeemed.' 

There are 288 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

We currently have no further information on Emrys Ellis. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.