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Simon Eardley raised £185 from 12 supporters

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Closed 21/08/2017

0%
£185
raised of £500 target by 12 supporters

    Weʼve raised £185 to restore the memorial to Private George E Ellis of the Machine Gun Corps, born in Ince and died on 15 August 1917, aged 23 at Passchendaele.

    Ince, United Kingdom
    Funded on Monday, 21st August 2017

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    Story

    Private George Edward Ellis was born at Ince in 1894, the second of four sons to Edward and Sarah Ann Ellis and worked as a labourer. In 1915 he enlisted, almost certainly voluntarily, to serve in the First World War with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. In 1916 he was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and posted to France in June with No 168 Company in the 56th (London) Division. A matter of weeks later his unit saw action in the field during the latter phases of the Battle of the Somme before taking part in the Arras offensive of April 1917 and then in August 1917 in the series of battles we now name Passchendaele.

    On 15 August 1917 the Company moved forward into front-line positions for the forthcoming Battle of Langemarck. During this move we understand the unit came under heavy shellfire and George Ellis was severely wounded. He was removed to No 55 Field Ambulance and died from shrapnel wounds to his shoulder and side. It is likely he was buried in a temporary graveyard adjacent to the Field Ambulance station and is commemorated on a Special Memorial (No 12) at Menin Road South Military Cemetery. The exact site of his grave is unknown but his gravestone states 'believed to be buried in this cemetery.'

    Within the grounds of his parish church at Ince, near the footpath leading to the main entrance is a small local memorial, presumably erected by his family to commemorate his service and death in the community of which he was a member. Over the years this memorial has become severely weathered and a number of the lead letters have disappeared. With the centenary of the death of Private Ellis approaching, our Parish of Thornton-le-Moors with Ince and Elton would like to undertake a restoration of the memorial in preparation for a short service of remembrance in mid August. Although the funding has been agreed to undertake this work, we would like to offer the opportunity for members of the local community to contribute to this restoration project.

    Updates

    5

    • Simon Eardley7 years ago
      Simon Eardley

      Simon Eardley

      7 years ago
      Update from the Page owner

      Thank you to everyone who so generously supported our fundraising campaign. With donations from JustGiving and those given to us direct (including from the Western Front Assocation, Merseyside Branch) we are pleased to have reached our target and re-dedicated the restored memorial on 20/08/17. To find out more about Private George Ellis, please visit our website: https://www.thornton-le-moors-ince-elton.org.uk/about/private-george-edward-ellis-1894-1917 where we expect to post a photograph of Private Ellis online soon. THANK YOU again!

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    • Simon Eardley7 years ago
      Simon Eardley

      Simon Eardley

      7 years ago

      Although this fundraising campaign is to restore our local memorial to Private George Ellis, huge thanks to Charles Eddie for this superb image of the 'official' Commonwealth War Graves Commission gravestone to Private Ellis at the Menin Road South Military Cemetery near Ypres. It is tremendous to see this link between our village of Ince and his final resting place.

      Update from the Page owner

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    • Simon Eardley7 years ago
      Simon Eardley

      Simon Eardley

      7 years ago

      Hi Charles - many thanks for your email via the page. I'll drop by in the next day or so if I may and collect the photograph which is much appreciated! Please can you let me know you have seen this message so I know you have my thanks? Regards, Simon.

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    • Simon Eardley7 years ago
      Simon Eardley

      Simon Eardley

      7 years ago

      Hi Charles - many thanks for your message. That would be excellent if possible. I think you should be able to contact me via the 'Contact Simon Eardley' link below. Regards, Simon.

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    7 years ago

    Simon Eardley started crowdfunding

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    Page last updated on: 8/10/2017 20.47

    Supporters

    12

    • Ella.

      Ella.

      Aug 1, 2017

      Pleased to support this. I hope you reach your target.

    • Charles Eddie

      Charles Eddie

      Jul 25, 2017

      Hi Simon, I have a photograph of the memorial stone in the Menin South Military cemetary, I can give you a copy if it would be of use to you.

      £30.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Jul 17, 2017

      We are indebted to your bravery and what you gave for your country - we will remember you.

    • Laura Boyne-Ryan

      Laura Boyne-Ryan

      Jul 14, 2017

      I hope you reach your target ☺️ A lovely thing to do.

      £10.00

    • Susan Overmire

      Susan Overmire

      Jul 11, 2017

      £10.00

    • Lynne Price

      Lynne Price

      Jul 10, 2017

      Protect our heritage for future generations.

      £10.00

    • Hannah Barlow

      Hannah Barlow

      Jul 8, 2017

      £5.00

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    Simon Eardley

    Simon Eardley

    Ince, United Kingdom

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