Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Benjamin Thomas Ellis, a brickyard labourer, born 26th October 1874 in Ullesthorpe, Leicestershire and his wife Lucy Ellis (nee Lord, married on the 4th November 1896 in the Parish Church, Broughton Astley), born 7th August 1872 in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire. John William was born in the 4th quarter of 1897 in Broughton Astley and was baptised on the 22nd October 1897 in the Parish Church, Broughton Astley, he had one sibling, Margaret Lucy, born 30th October 1900 in Broughton Astley and was baptised on the 30th December 1900 in the Parish Church, Broughton Astley, in March 1901 the family home was near Station, Broughton Astley. In April 1911 John was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Brickyard Cottages, Broughton Astley, together with his mother, a charwoman, and his siblings Margaret, a schoolgirl, Eva Caroline, a schoolgirl, born 5th January 1902 and baptised on the 29th April 1902 in the Parish Church, Broughton Astley, Elsie Cecilia, a schoolgirl, born 29th June 1903 and baptised on the 23rd August 1903 in the Parish Church, Broughton Astley, George Cyril, a schoolboy, born 29th June 1904 and baptised on the 4th September 1904 in the Parish Church, Broughton Astley and Benjamin Thomas, born 11th February 1908 and baptised on the 6th June 1909 in the Parish Church, Broughton Astley, all his siblings were born in Broughton Astley, John’s father was employed as a carter to a cab proprietor and was residing as a boarder at 19, Zetland Terrace, Chorlton Green, Chorlton cum Hardy, South Manchester, Lancashire. John had another younger sibling, James Ernest, born 1913 in Broughton Astley and baptised on the 4th May 1913 in the Parish Church, Broughton Astley. John’s father died in 1944 aged 70.
John enlisted/attested into the Special Reserve on the 11th December 1915 in Glen Parva, Leicestershire, and was allotted the service number 22920. He gave his place of birth as Broughton Astley and age as 18 years 90 days.
His medical examination took place in Glen Parva on the 11th December 1915 and recorded his apparent age as 18 years 90 days, that he was 5-feet 8 inches in height, weighed 116 lbs and had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33 inches. He gave his religion as Church of England.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Attested. 11/12/15.
To Army Reserve. 12/12/15.
Mobilized. 27/2/17.
Posted. Durham Light Infantry. 8th Labour Company. Pte. 27/2/17.
Disembarked. 13/3/17.
Transferred. To Labour Corps, 39th Labour Company. Pte. (Transferred under A.C.I. 611/1917).14/5/17.
Transferred. To 22nd Bn. Durham Light Infantry. Pte. Allotted Service No. 67524. (Transferred under A.O.204 of 1916. Authority of D.L.G.G.H.2.3 Echelon. C.R. No. 19223/549/A. dated 19/6/17. Pay, Infantry Rates.). 19/6/17.
Killed in action. In the Field. 6/7/17.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 6 Jul-17 – PIONEER CAMP. Work as usual. 2 other ranks killed and 4 other ranks wounded.