11th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
32
Summary
Samuel Ellis was the son of Jane Ellis (nee Ewart). Samuel was born in Mossend, Scotland about 1884. It is believed Samuel’s father died around 1885. Jane remarried a few years later, to Thomas Taylor. The family lived in Creagh, Castledawson. They were a farming family. Sam Ellis was a member of the U.V.F., and belonged to the South Antrim Regiment. Samuel Ellis enlisted in Antrim. He was living in Toomebridge at the time. Lance Corporal Samuel Ellis was serving with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916. He was 32 years old.
Further Information
Samuel Ellis was the son of Jane Ellis (nee Ewart). Samuel was born in Mossend, Scotland about 1884.
It is believed Samuel’s father died around 1885.
Jane remarried a few years later, to Thomas Taylor. This wedding may have occurred on 14th September 1888 in Belfast.
Jane Taylor went on to have four more children with Thomas. Their first daughter died after just ten days.
Family: Thomas Taylor, Jane Taylor, Samuel Ellis (born about 1884), Maggie Ellis (born about 1886), Rachel Taylor (born 11th February 1886, died 21st February 1886), Annie Taylor (born 22nd August 1887), Brown Ewart Taylor (born 20th April 1889), Samuel Taylor (born 2nd March 1891).
The 1901 census lists Samuel as age 17 living with the family at house 137 in Creagh, Castledawson, County Londonderry. They were a farming family.
The 1911 census lists Sam as age 27 living with the family at house 114 in Creagh, (Etra and Otra), Castledawson, Londonderry. Sam was described as a farmer’s labourer.
Sam Ellis was a member of L.O.L. 711. He was is also listed in Castledawson War Memorial Hall as being a member of L.O.L. 96.
Sam Ellis was a member of the U.V.F., and belonged to the South Antrim Regiment.
Samuel Ellis enlisted in Antrim. He was living in Toomebridge at the time.
Lance Corporal Samuel Ellis was serving with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916. He was 32 years old.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 20th July 1916:
Corporal Samuel Ellis, Royal Irish Rifles, South Antrims, Creagh, Toomebridge, missing.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 22 July 1916:
The relatives of Corporal Samuel Ellis, 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, (Mrs Taylor and family, of Creagh), anxiously await news of him. Some time ago, Private William Ellis, of the same battalion, wrote to his friends at Blackpark that Corporal Ellis had been wounded in the first onslaught on the German positions during the recent offensive. Enquiries made to the War Office elicited the information that he could not be traced, and the greatest anxiety is felt regarding him. Corporal Ellis was a member of the U.V.F., and belonged to the south Antrim Regiment.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 29 July 1916:
No news is yet to hand of the fate of Corporal Samuel Ellis, 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, of Creagh, who was wounded in the recent offensive.
Aughrim Rose of Derry L.O.L. 711 To the Glory of God and in proud and lasting remembrance of Brother Samuel Ellis Lance Corporal No. 19472. 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. Killed in action at the Battle of the Somme 1st July 1916. Lest we forget.
Lance Corporal Samuel Ellis has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
