L/Sjt 16906 John Frederick Gell

• Age: 26
• From: Wallasey
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 26th January 1916
• Commemorated at: Carnoy Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: P.15

John Frederick Gell was born on the 01^st July 1889 in Wallasey. He was the eldest of three children born to Frederick, a pork butcher, and his wife Lilly (nee Willis). His parents married in 1888 at Poulton cum Seacombe.  

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 49/51 Victoria Road, Seacombe, where Frederick had his shop. His father, Frederick, is 37 years of age and was born in Derby, whilst his mother, Lily, is 34 years old and was born in Seacombe. Their two children John Frederick aged 11 and Bertram Willis aged 8 are recorded in the household, as is a servant 19 year old Mary Eardley.

His father Frederick died on the 25th June 1902 at 21 Croxteth Avenue, Liscard and probate was granted to Bertram Willis Gell (Electrician).

His mother Lily died in 1910.

The 1911 Census shows John Frederick, now a municipal clerk with Wallasey Borough Council (electrical works), living with his younger brother, Bertram Willis Gell, an apprentice watchmaker, at 41 Park Road, Seacombe.

John Frederick enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 31^st August 1914, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool,Regiment as Private 16906. He gave his age as 25 years 61 days, his occupation as clerk, and stating that he had previously served for 12 months in the 4^th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. His next of kin was his brother Bertram Willis 10 Park Street, Liscard. John was described as being; height 5' 6", weight 137lbs, chest 35", with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

On 09^th September 1914 he was appointed Lance Corporal (Paid), on 07^th June 1915 promoted to Corporal and on 20^th July 1915 to Unpaid Lance Sergeant, later to become Paid.

On 07^th November 1915 he arrived in France.

He was killed in action on 26th January 1916, aged 26.

John Frederick now rests at Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery, Grave P 15, France.

Gailly was the site of the 39th and 13th Casualty Clearing Stations during the early part of 1917, and of the 41st Stationary Hospital from May 1917 to March 1918. The villages were then captured by the Germans, but were retaken by the Australian Corps in August 1918. Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery (originally called the New French Military Cemetery) was begun in February 1917 and used by medical units until March 1918. After the recapture of the village it was used by Australian units. The cemetery was increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields of the Somme including MARICOURT MILITARY CEMETERY which was was at the South-East corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron. It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July, 1916. It contained the graves of 887 French soldiers, 260 from the United Kingdom and six German. 

The cemetery now contains 745 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 114 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate five casualties buried at Maricourt and Ste. Helene whose graves could not be found. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. 

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 05th February 1916:

The death at the front in France is reported of Sergeant John.F.Gell, of the 18th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment - the 2nd "Pals." He was in a dugout resting with three other men when a shell exploded in their midst and killed all four. The late Sergeant Gell, who was twenty seven years old, was employed at the Wallasey Electricity Works, and on the outbreak of war he joined the Liverpool "Pals." He was born in Seacombe, and had lately resided in Belgrave-road, Liscard. He was well known in local football circles. 

A report was also included in the Wallasey News on the same day under the header: 

Killed In A Dug-Out

Information has been received from Wallasey men at the front of the death of Sergt. John F. Gell, of the 18th Batt. King’s Liverpool Regiment, which occurred last week in France. The young man was employed in the outbreak in the clerical department of the Wallasey Electricity Works at Liscard previous to enlisting, which he did when recruits were first called for identifying himself with the Liverpool Pals with many of his Wallasey comrades. From the news which has come through, it seems that the young fellow, who was 27 years of age, was in a dug-out resting after active service, in company with three other sergeants. A shell came along and found the retreat, exploding in their midst. Gell and his three companions were instantly killed.

Mr. Gell is the grandson of the late Mr. John Willis, of Victoria Road, Seacombe, and the nephew of Mr. William S. McQuire, of Smithy Lane, Seacombe, and 39, Park Road. He was brought up by Mr. McQuire, and had a most promising career. He was a favourite with his companions in No. 3 Company, who were much affected of his death.

Sergeant Gell was also held in high esteem by all of his fellow-employees. He was a well-known local footballer.

The only other death recorded for 26th January 1916 in the 18th Battalion was that of Sergeant 16857 Henry Daniel Murray and as such the validity of the report into the circumstances of there being four Sergeants killed is questionable. 

John Frederick's effects, plaque and memorial scroll were sent to his next of kin, his brother Bertram, who in 1920 was living at 7 St Paul’s Road, Seacombe. His personal belongings were described as being: identity disc, writing case, case with photos and card, 2 knives, 2 shoulder badges, tobacco pouch, wire cutters, metal cigarette case, pipe, bombers badge, nail clippers, wrist watch, watch key, scissors, broken metal signet ring, tunic button, farthing.

No Pension record has been found.

His family placed a notice in the Liverpool Echo on the first anniversary of his death 26th January 1917:
  
GELL – In loving memory of Lance Sergeant John Frederick Gell (Fred) – KLR – died of wound in France Jan 29 1916.  Fondly remembered by all at 2 Peter Street Seacombe.

John is also commemorated on the family headstone at St. Hilary's Churchyard, Wallasey:

LANCE SERGT J. F. GELL
WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE
26th JANY 1916 AGED 26 YEARS

"His Duty Done"

John is also commemorated on the following Memorials 

Wallasey Civic Memorial (Hospital)

Wallasey Memorial Roll of Honour

St Pauls C of E Church, Seacombe.

Records suggest that his brother  Bertram enlisted as Private 23248 in the Royal Lancashire Regiment, serving in Asia from 01^st July 1915, surviving the war and earning his 3 medals.