( 1) Sapper Stanley Ellison. No. 22421

Benfleet's First WW1 Casualty.

1. Sapper Stanley Thomas Ellison.
2. Christmas card from Miss Hilda Ellison.
3. Letter from Sapper Ellison's mother.
4. 'Lucky Heather'
5. Envelope marked 'Missing.'
6. In Ever Loving Memory Card.
7. WW1 Medal Trio.
8. Reverse of 1914 Star.
9. Memorial Scroll.
10. Mons In Memory Badge.
11. Cap Badge.
12. Letter from Ministry of Defence.

Local WW1 historian, Mr. Hawkins, contacted the Benfleet Community Archive to share an event in his life, some history and items of interest relating to Sapper Stanley Thomas Ellison, who is listed on the WW1 Memorial in Essex Way.

In Kents Hill Road during the 1970’s, Miss. Hilda Ellison, a smartly dressed local lady was often seen walking her dogs.  On one of these occasions she spoke to Mr. Hawkins and this in turn led to more conversations between the two residents that for the most part were about her brother, Sapper Stanley Ellison.  Mr. Hawkins was invited into her home, ‘The Rosary’ 298 Kents Hill Road, where he was shown Sapper Ellison’s war medals, Memorial Scroll, letters and photographs relating to his life and death.  Miss. Ellison also spoke of the thousands of other people who were killed in the wars and the families left behind who would endure sadness and pain for the rest of their lives.

From the information supplied to Mr. Hawkins, we are confident of the following events.

Stanley Thomas Ellison.
Son of Thomas Daniel and Alice Eliza Ellison.

1893May 15.
Born at Enfield, Middlesex.

1894October 19.
Baptised at St. Matthews Church.  Ponders End.  Middlesex.

It is assumed from those dates that the family were resident in Enfield.  In the early 1900’s, Miss Ellison, moved to Epsom, Surrey, and was still there in December 1913.  Their mother was now resident in Thundersley, Essex.

1912.  Enlisted into the Army.

1913.  Received a Christmas card from his sister.

1914August 4.  Britain declares war on Germany.

1914August 18. Posted to France and Flanders Theatre of War.

1914August 22.  Wrote to his mother saying he was quite well.

1914.  August 23.  Killed in action.

1914December 2.  His mother, unaware he had been killed sent him a piece of ‘Lucky Heather’ and a letter that read :-

Dear Stanley,

If this letter reaches you which I trust it will.  Let me have a line if possible as we are all very anxious about you.  Dad has written asking about you and of course I cannot send any news until I hear from you.  Grandma and Amy are also anxious to have news of you.

Fondest Love.

From mother.

From Mrs. Ellison.

1914December 2.  8.30 a.m.  The letter was received by the Army Records Office Expeditionary Force in London.  They marked the envelope ‘Missing.’

Being reported amongst the missing his parents were hoping he might turn up.

1915October.  News of his death was eventually conveyed to his mother by Sapper E. Hargreaves, a former companion to Sapper Ellison, who was now confined in a German Prisoner of War Camp.  His letter read :-

Dear Mrs. Ellison,

On 23 August 1914, your son went into action with me as a cyclist signaller at a place called Nimy, near Mons.  At 10 a.m., he received a bullet through the head, death being instantaneous.  I was myself severely wounded at the same time and place but I am now well again.  The sad news I give you with great reluctance and I trust that you may bear up under the shock.

Signed

Sapper E. Hargreaves.

1920.  Sapper Ellison’s Memorial Scroll sent to his father at ‘The Manor.’  New Thundersley.

1920October 12.  Sapper Ellison’s Memorial Plaque sent to his father at ‘The Manor.’  New Thundersley.

1921.  Sapper Elison’s war medals sent to his father at ‘The Manor.’  New Thundersley.

1927July 14.  the Imperial War Graves Commission sent a letter to Mr. Ellison, requesting the sum of seven shillings (35p) to pay for a private inscription on the headstone.

1928. The Imperial War Graves Commission erected a permanent headstone on Sapper Ellison’s grave at the Hautrage Military Cemetery. Belgium.

1976.  Miss. Hilda Ellison, offered her brothers war medals and all related items to Mr. Hawkins, on condition they are never sold or exchanged during his lifetime.  To this day, 2012, they remain in his keeping.

1980.  Miss. Ellison, wrote to the Ministry of Defence, asking for information regarding the military service of her brother during the 1914-1918 War.  Unfortunately, they were unable to provide any details as a large proportion of records of soldiers who served in that war was destroyed by enemy action.

The Benfleet Community Archive are indebted and record our thanks to Mr. Hawkins, for allowing access to the documents and photographing the various items.

Photographs.

1.  Sapper Stanley Thomas Ellison.  No. 22421.

2.  Christmas card from Miss. Hilda Ellison.

3.  Letter from his mother.

4.  The piece of ‘Lucky Heather.’

5.  The envelope marked ‘Missing.’

6.  In Ever Loving Memory Card.

7.  WW1 Medal Trio.  British War Medal.  Victory Medal. 1914 Star with Bar.

8.  1914 Star Medal. Reverse impressed with name and number.

9.  Memorial Scroll.

10.  Mons In Memory Badge.

11.  Cap Badge.

12.  Letter from Ministry of Defence.

Comments about this page

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  • There is now a road named Sapper Ellison Way in Castle Point. 

    By Phil Coley (20/06/2016)
  • He was Benfleet’s first casualty in the war but, interestingly, the officially recognised final British casualty of the war at 9:30 am on 11th November 1918 was also named Ellison; George Ellison.

    By Steven Heath (15/10/2014)
  • Further to this information there is a family grave to Alice Eliza Ellison with a reference to the memory of Stanley in St.Peter’s.

    By Tony (13/10/2014)

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