22517 Pte Ernest Freer Jelley, 1st Bn, Leicestershire Regiment

22517 Pte Ernest Jelley of the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment was killed in action on the 20th September 1918. He was born in Walcote and living there when he enlisted on 1st November 1915.

Ernest's surviving papers in the WO 363 series at the National Archives reveal that he was aged 19 years and nine months and working as a plumber. He attested with the 11th (Pioneer) Battalion at Leicester.

Typically for the WO 363 series, Ernest's service record is quite badly damaged and it is possible to only make out partial information from it. He served with A Company of the 11th Battalion and embarked for France on the 26th March 1916. He was posted to the 8th (Service) Battalion on 26th October 1917 and then to the 3rd Battalion on 21st May 1918. After that it looks as though he was posted to the 14th Battalion and then to the 1st, although I can't be sure.

In February 1918 he was docked two days' pay for being unshaven on parade and on 24th April 1918 he was admitted to hospital in Camiers, France with boils on his back and arm. These were severe enough for him to be returned to England. By 22nd June however, he was back in France at K Infantry Base Depot and the following day he was posted to the (regular) 1st Battalion.

Ernest Jelley has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois memorial in France. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes that he was the son of Elisha and Margaret Jelley, of Baker Street, Lutterworth, Rugby and that he was 22 years old when he died. Ernest's wallet, letters and cards were amongst the few personal effects returned to hi mother after he had been killed.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC, WO 363)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission