Walter's Story.
Birkenhead News 13 May 1916
Gallant Rock Ferry Soldier.
Death from Wounds.
PATHETIC LAST LETTER.
Mr. and Mrs. John Ellis, of 197, Old Chester Road, have suffered a sad loss in the death of their son, Private Walter Ellis, who died as the result of wounds received in action. The young soldier, who was only 19 years of age, joined one of the Cheshire Battalions in the early days of the war, and had been at the front for some months.
A pathetic feature of the case is that the stricken mother received a letter from her son the day after that on which she and her husband were notified of his death. This was written from the hospital in which he died, and the young soldier, evidently desirous of relieving his parents’ anxiety, assured them that “there is nothing at all to worry about. I have been hit with a piece of shrapnel, which caught me in the back.” Later on he says: “I may say I am lucky to be here now …. By the way don’t send any more parcels for a bit. You can send some cigarettes, I could do with some. With love to all. Write soon.”
Mrs. Ellis has received the following letter from Sister Hayden, of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Hospital: - “It is with deep regret that I have to tell you that your son, Private Ellis, was brought to this hospital badly wounded. Blood poisoning set in, and he had not enough strength to fight against it. He passed away on May 4th. He was buried at the little cemetery quite close to this hospital with full military honours. Please accept my deepest sympathy for you in your great trouble.”