Pte
Arthur Wyatt Ellis

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortedatum:
06/07/1887
Geboorteplaats:
Christchurch, Canterbury, Nieuw-Zeeland

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Loodgieter

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Nieuw-Zeeland
Strijdmacht:
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Private
Service nummer:
40789
Dienstneming datum:
26/10/1916
Dienstneming plaats:
Christchurch, Canterbury, Nieuw-Zeeland
Eenheden:
 —  Canterbury Regiment, 3rd Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
16/12/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Polygoonbos, Zonnebeke, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
30

Begraafplaats

Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood
Plot: IX
Rij: AA
Graf: 15

Onderscheidingen en medailles 2

British War Medal
Medaille
Victory Medal
Medaille

Points of interest 3

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats
#3 Plaats van overlijden (bij benadering)

Mijn verhaal

Arthur Ellis was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 6 July 1887, son of Joseph and Jane (nee Wyatt) Ellis. He had six siblings. Arthur was a plumber working in Sumner, a suburb of Christchurch, when he enlisted on 26 October 1916 in Christchurch, joining the 23rd Reinforcement, service number 40789. He trained at Trentham, Featherston and Tauherenikau camps before embarking on the troop ship Corinthic on 2 April 1917. During the voyage he was in the ship’s hospital with tonsillitis. He arrived in Devenport, England on 10 June, entering Sling Camp on the Salisbury Plain the same day.

Arthur sailed to France on 6 July 1917 and spent two weeks at Etaples before being posted to 3rd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment on 24 July.

After the Third Battle of Ypres the New Zealand Division held the line in and around Polygon Wood. In early December the Division wanted to improve its positions and tried to take the heights round Polderhoek Chateau.

The Division’s battalions relieved each other in the Polygon Wood sector, the main work being improving defences, repairing trenches and wire. The landscape was water-filled shell holes. The Germans had observation over much of the area so any movement was shelled or machine-gunned.

The 2nd Brigade was replaced by the 4th Brigade on the night of 15/16 December; In this, the 3rd Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment replaced the 1st Canterbury. It was during this period that Arthur Ellis was killed. His burial was reported by Rev C Jones, attached to the 3rd Canterbury Battalion.

He is now in a special memorial grave at Buttes New British Cemetery at Polygon Wood, Plot IX, Row AA, Grave 15.

Bestanden 1

Bronnen 6

"The history of the Canterbury Regiment, NZEF 1914-1919", Ferguson, David, Auckland, Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd, 1921, pg. 218-223.
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Archives New Zealand
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Auckland Cenotaph
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph
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Auckland Weekly News
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/heritageimages/
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CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/480207/ellis,-arthur-wyatt/
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New Zealand births deaths marriages
https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/search
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