Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George and Helen Grace Wells. The War Diary for the 7th August 1916 records. LONGUEVAL ALLEY – BERNAFAY WOOD. “B” and “C” Companies found carrying parties to take material to 17th MIDDLESEX REGT at WATERLOT FARM, and the 1st KING’S LIVERPOOL REGT in their assembly trenches, respectively, the latter was completed at night. They also found ration and water carrying parties. The Battalion had orders to closely support the attack the following morning, and keep in close touch with operations. As Battalion Headquarters were instructed to remain at BERNAFAY WOOD, this was done by placing “A” Company at the disposal of the Officer Commanding 1st KING’S LIVERPOOL REGT, and “B” Company at the disposal of the 17th MIDDLESEX REGT, at the same time arranging for “D” Company to take the place of “A” Company as they were called upon.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday August 18th, 1916

COALVILLE SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS

Mr and Mrs G. A. Wells, of 3, Station Terrace, off High Street, Coalville, on Thursday morning last week were notified that their son, Private Albert Willis Wells, of the South Staffordshire Regiment died in hospital in France, on August 7th of wounds received in action. Deceased, who was 18 years of age last Christmas, was a signaller and bomb thrower, and before the war was employed by Messrs. Porter and Sons, chemists, at their shop at the corner of Belvoir Road and Vaughan Street. Deceased’s father is a goods guard on the Midland Railway. Two letters were received last week from the sister in charge of the hospital, stating first that Wells had been wounded in both legs and the left shoulder, and then that his condition was critical. The letter received on Thursday morning, dated August 7th, stated, “It is with great regret that I have to tell you that your son passed away at three o’clock this morning. He was admitted to the hospital on July 29th, and though not improving as we had hoped, he was not in any danger until the day before yesterday, when he became rather worse. I asked him for his home address and he gave it me and seemed pleased I was writing. Yesterday, he was quite unable to speak, but he did not seem to be in any pain. With sincere sympathy.”

Coalville Times article - Friday September 8th, 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICES AT COALVILLE AND HUGGLESCOTE

FOR LOCAL MEN WHO HAVE FALLEN

Impressive memorial services were held at Coalville and Hugglescote on Sunday evening, for local men who have nobly died fighting for their country.

The service at Coalville was in the Wesleyan Church, and was conducted by Mr W. A. Hall, of Coalville. There was a crowded congregation which included the Men’s and Women’s V.A.D. under Commandants W. Eames and W. V. Scott, and the Coalville and Whitwick and Thringstone Citizens Corps under the respective Commanders, J. S. Turner and J. Lester. A number of scouts were also present and a few men in khaki. The service opened with the singing of the hymn, “When the weary seeking rest” and other hymns sung were “God of the living in whose eyes”, “Lord, God of hosts”, “Ten thousand times ten thousand” and “Now the labourer’s task is over”. The choir sang, “No shadows yonder” and “Nearer my God to thee.”

The preacher took for his text, Romans 8c, 7v., and in the course of his address said they had assembled that night to pay tribute to the memory of three lads from the Coalville Wesleyan Sabbath School – Ernest Batho, Fredk. Wm. Hart and Albert Willis Wells. They listened to the cry, “For God and Right” and went forward and joined the armies fighting against the enemies of their country. Hart fell in the trenches and Batho in the midst of the fighting on the battlefield. Wells, after conducting a superior officer to headquarters under heavy fire, was hit. The officer was killed and the gallant soldier, after lying in hospital for a week, succumbed to his wound. They were met that night in sympathy with those who so willingly gave their loved ones and today were mourning their loss. They met as a tribute to the memory of the lads who were numbered among Great Britain’s heroes. It was not for the excitement of the moment that they responded to the call, but to take part in guarding our shores from the attack of the enemy. They had died in a good cause – the cause of humanity. “They have died,” he added, “for you and for me. Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” He referred to letters which had been received from officers testifying to the excellent character of these lads and pointed out that the work of the Sunday school teachers had not been in vain. At the close of the service, the organist, Mr S. Rawlins, played the Dead March, the congregation standing meanwhile and as a finale, Scout Preston, with his bugle, sounded “The Last Post.”

Coalville Times article - Friday February 14th, 1919

PROPOSED MEMORIAL AND THANKSGIVING FUND

Meetings are being held throughout the Ashby Wesleyan Circuit, to consider the inauguration of a war memorial and thanksgiving fund, and there was a gathering for this purpose in the Coalville Wesleyan Chapel on Saturday night, when Mr C. H. March presided over a fairly good attendance.

The details of the scheme are set forth in a circular which is being issued, and of which the following is a copy.

“To celebrate the end of the ‘great war’ and the coming of ‘peace’ the quarterly meeting of the Circuit decided by a unanimous vote to inaugurate a great ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund.’ The nation in the hours of danger has not counted any sacrifice of blood or treasure too great to hasten the time when all that we hold dear should be made secure from an unscrupulous foe. That end has been achieved. The victory is ours. In token of our gratitude to Almighty God, we desire to raise this ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund’ to enable the churches in this Circuit more efficiently to carry on, and extend the Kingdom of God. We suggest that contributions may be given as a thank-offering for loved ones spared, or in memory of dear ones who have laid down their lives for us. There are also large numbers in the Circuit, who, because of the importance of their work, have escaped the horrors of the battlefield, and will be able to give substantially in thankful recognition of their privileges. Everyone, indeed, has received great blessing through the ministry of our church, and the debt we owe to our beloved Methodism is greater than we can tell. Therefore, we earnestly appeal to all our people to give hearty and generous support to the ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund’. The first claim upon the income of the fund will be the clearing of the debt upon the Circuit houses, which amounts to £1,000, thus saving £44 per year in interest. The remainder of the income will be held at the disposal of the Circuit quarterly meeting for the benefit of the work of God in the Circuit. – William Hooper, William H. Wardle, B.A., and William Solomon (ministers), J. P. Adcock, J. P. (treasurer); W. J. Plowright and C. H. March (secretaries).”

During the meeting, Mr T. Frith read the Roll of Honour, which contained 99 names formerly connected with the church and Sunday School. Two have won the D.C.M. – Harry Beard and Edwin Collier – and four the Military Medal, these being Tom Palmer, Tom Wood, George Wildgoose and Walter Lewis.

Twenty had made the supreme sacrifice – Cecil A. Bradshaw, Ernest Batho, Geo. Beale, Sydney Dodds, Walter Fantom, John Hall, Horace Hall, Jess Jones, Wilfred Jones, Fred Hart, Arthur Johnson, Walter Lewis, M.M., Harry Lewis, William Setchell, Sam Smith, Tom Usherwood, Willie Wells, Alf Wood, Albert Essex and Tom Wild.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 15/10/2017