Name
Ellis Barker Wright
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
30609
Bedfordshire Regiment
9th Battalion
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Ellis Wright was born in spring 1878 at Attleborough in Norfolk. He was one of seven children (five sons and two daughters) born to Ellis (senior) and Emma Wright. In the 1881 and 1891 Census the family was recorded living at Attleborough where Ellis (senior) worked as a Carpenter.
By the time of the 1901 Census Ellis (junior) had moved from the family home and was recorded living as a Boarder with Walter and Emma Meade and their family at 44 Rushbridge Street, Willesden. Ellis worked as a Milk Carrier. He married one of Walter Meade’s daughters in 1901 and by the time of the 1911 Census he lived with his wife, four children and brother at 15 Harvest Road, Willesden. Ellis and his youngest brother Percy worked together as Milk Carriers.
Ellis enlisted at Hemel Hempstead on 9th December 1915 and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. He noted that his occupation was a Packer, and he gave his date of birth as May 1876, two years earlier than his registered birth date. His address was Railway Terrace, Abbots Langley. He was mobilised on 27th June 1916 and was posted to the 9th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. On 12th November 1916 he was posted back to the 2nd Bedford’s, and was sent to France.
He was first recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in September 1916, serving with the 9th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment.
Ellis was wounded on 2nd August 1917 (gun-shot wound, right jaw) and was sent back to England immediately, arriving at the Kitchener Hospital at Brighton on 3rd August. He was treated at this hospital until 8th October, when he was transferred to the 2nd Eastern General Hospital at Brighton. The Abbots Langley Parish Magazine reported that he had been wounded in November 1917. On 17th December Ellis was moved once again, this time to Eastbourne Military Hospital. He returned to the 2nd Eastern General Hospital again on 31st January 1918, and a Medical Examination was made on 6th April. His disability was noted as an inflamed sinus of the nose, which had originated in March 1917 at Albert on the Somme. The report noted that Ellis had stated that “he used to have pains in the head and tooth and also when on duty at Albert. In July 1917 he was shot in the right cheek and on examining him in hospital he had a lump in his mouth. He says the doctor sent him to England.”. A Medical Report dated 13th April 1918 concluded that the disability was not caused or aggravated by service, and it was recommended that he be discharged as permanently unfit for all military service. He was considered 20% disabled and was awarded a Disablement Pension Gratuity of £65.
Ellis was discharged at Warley on 9th May 1918 to Low Lodge, Abbots Hill, Hemel Hempstead. He was considered of very good military character, sober, moral and trustworthy.
Ellis Wright survived the War.
Additional Information
Formerly 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Discharged Disabled.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
