Fred's Story.
Weaverham St. Mary’s “Roll of Honour” records four Ellison lads,
F. (Fred) Ellison, & J. (James) Ellison, (Fred and James are brothers.)
Cheshirebmd records 12 Ellison lads born in Weaverham in the years 1880 – 1900 including one lad named James born in 1891 and a lad named Fred born in 1893 in Weaverham.
H. (Hubert) Ellison. & R. (Rowland) Ellison. (Hubert and Rowland are cousins.) Cheshirebmd records a Hubert born in 1892 and a Rowland born in 1876 in Weaverham.
Fred
The 1901 census has an Ellison family living on Station Road. Walter head of the family, aged 36, Carter at the Chemical Works, born Weaverham; Alice, wife, aged 36 born Weaverham; James, aged 9 and Fred aged 7 then Annie aged 4 all born W/ham.
V.A.D. - record a Mrs Alice Ellison of The West End, Weaverham Sewn and Knitted for the Wounded. This looks like Alice, mother of James and Fred.
(Father Walter, his employment is “Carter at Chemical Works.” Is this B. M. & Co.? B. M. & Co. will have been very understanding of lads returning, being discharged and wanting, needing employment. It was also very common in the company to employ families and with that they could well have taken on James and Fred, as suggested for each of the lads stories.)
The Guardian article, dated 14th Dec. 1917, on James’s M.M. records a brother; “A brother who has served in the Army but has obtained his discharge.”
Freebmd record the marriage of a Fred Ellison/Miriam Shallcross in 1917 at a Civil Marriage in Northwich, Cheshirebmd confirms the marriage in Northwich. Freebmd goes onto record the birth of a Mildred A. Ellison in 1918 and a Daisy E. Ellison in 1923, mothers maiden name Shallcross, in Northwich, Cheshirebmd records the births in the Sub-District of Weaverham. (No N/wich Guardian article found on the marriage.)
B. M. & Co. - record in their Post WW1 listings a Frederick Ellison, Gunner with the R.F.A. (Royal Field Artillery). There is no reference to sickness or being discharged or wounded and therefore a question as to this lad being the brother of James. Having said that the 1921 census records a Fred Ellison, his wife Miriam and daughter Mildred living with Miriam’s parents, at The Hollows, Cuddington, William and Ann Shallcross. Fred’s occupation is listed as Alkali Chemical Labourer at the Winnington Works.
N.A.M.C. - The census and Cheshirebmd information records this lads name as Fred and therefore it is accepted that his Medal Card could be Fred. They have medal cards for 12 lads named Fred Ellison and 29 for lads named Frederick Ellison. There is 1 lad named Fred Ellison with the R.F.A. Reg’t., No 92169, Gunner, he was discharged but no date specified. His Theatre of War was Balkans, Date of Entry 15/9/15, he was awarded 15 Star, British and Victory medals. This lad was awarded the S.W.B., No 212920 and discharged 18/7/17, the date of enlistment is recorded as 25/8/1914.
(A Frederick Ellison is listed on the WW1 Davenham Memorial, he died on the 10/8/1917.)
Research Bob H.