The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that 179 men died one hundred years ago today on the 14th June 1915. The majority of these men died in Belgium (49) and France (59), with Gallipoli accounting for a further 24 men. The rest of the men died in the UK (23) (either as a result of wounds sustained in action, or due to sickness or accident) and in other overseas' territories.
One man, 20597 Gunner William Ellis of the Royal Field Artillery, died in Germany and is buried at Niederzwheren Cemetery in Kassel. The CWGC website notes, "The cemetery was begun by the Germans in 1915 for the burial of prisoners of war who died at the local camp. During the war almost 3,000 Allied soldiers and civilians, including French, Russian and Commonwealth, were buried there."
William Ellis was a regular soldier who had arrived overseas with 8 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery on the 19th August 1914. He does not appear on my database of men captured in 1914 and neither is it indicated on his medal index card (above) that he was a PoW. He was born in Orford, Suffolk, and enlisted at Framlingham, Suffolk. The CWGC notes that he was serving with 37 Battery when he died, whilst the International Red Cross PoW records reveal that he was 29 years old when he died, which means he must have been born in about 1886.
I believe William was unmarried. His entry in the Soldiers' Effects register notes that it was his father, Joseph, who received the money owing to him (over £21) in November 1915, as well as a further gratuity of £5 in November 1919.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
Photo of Niederzwheren Cemetery courtesy of the North Irish Horse website.
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