Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Ellison was born at Wardley Colliery in 1897, the youngest son, one of 9 children of whom only 7 survived, 4 sons and 3 daughters. His father William Ellison of Birtley born 1865 and mother Jane Stephenson of Shincliffe born 1869, both in County Durham were married at South Shields, Northumberland in 1888. They moved during the the first years of their marriage between Hebburn and Heworth, near Gateshead, in 1891 they were living at 9, Chapel Square, Heworth, William was employed as a coal miner. After a brief period at Washington they had returned to 20, First Street, Heworth, William, still the only breadwinner, was employed below ground at the colliery as a stonemason. By 1911 his three eldest sons had joined him Joseph (22) and Christopher (21) both worked as shifters, Richard (15) was a screener, daughter Barbara (19) assisted her mother at home, Ether (17) was employed at the Co-Operative store, John (14) and his sister Margaret (6) known as Maggie were scholars.
On the outbreak of war he was only 17 years of age, still too young to enlist, he didn’t do so until 1915 at West Hartlepool where he was firstly assigned as Private 78828 4th (Territorial) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. The main body of the battalion after mobilisation and intensive training at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Blyth had departed for France, April 20th 1915. Private Ellison was not eligible for overseas service until he turned 19 years of age in 1916 by which time he had been transferred to the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) as Private 100219 and joined them at the front in France after they had returned from the campaign in Gallipoli and serving in Egypt in 1915. He was transferred to the 11th (Territorial) Battalion in the field attached to the 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. During 1916 they were involved at the opening battle of the Somme at Albert, July 1st, then at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th, Delville Wood July 15th-September 3rd, Battle of Thiepval September 26th-28th, Battle of Ancre Heights October 1st-10th and Battle of Ancre November 13th-16th. They participated during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line followed by the phases of the Third Battles of Ypres at Pilkem Ridge, Langermarck and Passchendaele. The spring offensive of 1918 by the Germans began March 21st, the 18th Division engaged them during the Battle of St. Quentin, Avre and Villers-Brettoneux during the phases of the First Battles of the Somme, followed by the Battle of Amiens which began August 8th, the opening battle of the Allies Hundred Days Offensive followed by the Battle of Albert and the Second Battle of Bapaume fought during August to September 3rd, known as the Second Battles of the Somme. They were moved to the Hindenburg Line to attack the German outposts seeing action at the Battle of Epehy which began September 18th 1918.
Private 100219 John Ellison Royal Fusiliers was killed in action September 21st 1918. His sacrifice is commemorated as one of the 9,843 names of servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa inscribed on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France who have no known grave, killed in action between the Somme and Loos during the Advance to Victory in Picardy and Artois. He was 21 years old and single.
His father William living at 18, Raby Avenue, Holme Hill, Easington Colliery received all monies due to him along with his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
John’s brother Richard also served during the Great War as Sapper 112518 172nd Tunnelling Coy Royal Engineers and died February 14th 1916, aged 19 years, leaving a widow Mary Ellen. He has no known grave and is commemorated Arras Memorial to the Missing, Arras, France.
William Ellison died in 1931, Jane Ellison nee Stephenson in 1938, both registered at Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Ellison is remembered at Easington Colliery on E52.01 and E52.03
