Pte 23095 Ellis Mason

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Ellis Mason was born in January 1893 at Liverpool and was the son of Ellis Mason and his wife Elizabeth (nee Renshaw) who were married on the 28th October 1891 at Holy Trinity Church, Wavertree. Ellis snr was a 22 year old cab driver of 132 Wavertree Vale, father William a labourer, whilst Elizabeth was aged 23 of 136 Wavertree Vale, father Thomas a master carter. They had six children, Ellis, the eldest, had a younger brother Charles, and sisters Alice and Annie Elizabeth (who both died young), Emma, and Eliza. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 41 Cadogan Street, Wavertree, Liverpool. His father, Ellis, is aged 31, born in Gateacre, Liverpool in 1869 is a corporation labourer, his mother, Elizabeth, is aged 33, born in Liverpool in 1868 and has no occupation listed. At the time of the Census they have three children, Ellis aged 8, Charles aged 6 and Emma aged 1. They also have a visitor Margaret Sloan aged 23, born 1878 in Cumberland and she is employed as a domestic servant. 

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved and are now living at 4 Whithorn Street, Edge Hill, Liverpool. His mother, Elizabeth, is married/separated and aged 45, occupation, an office cleaner at Cunard. She states that she had been married for thirteen years and had six children of which two had died. At the time of the Census she is living with four of her children, Ellis aged 19 born 1892 apprentice company compositor, Charles aged 17, is a driver, Emma aged 11, born 1899 and Eliza aged 9, born 1901 are at school. 

His father has not been found on the 1911 census or on any further records.

He enlisted on the 10th November 1914 at Liverpool, joining the 20^th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 23095. He gave his age as 22 years and his occupation as a clerk. He was described as being five feet three inches tall, weighed 120lbs, 35" chest, with a sallow complexion, brown eyes and black hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and gave his mother as next of kin at 11 Lightwood Street, and states that he has lived out of the family home for at least three years. 

His brother Charles enlisted in the 20th Battalion K.L.R. on the same day, as Private 23094 so they will have travelled together as their numbers are consecutive.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915.

Ellis was killed in action on the 30^th July 1916, aged 23, at the village of Guillemont, France, during the Somme Offensive. 

The 20^th King’s Battalion Diary records:

“At 4.45am prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than 10 yards ahead. This continued until about 6 o’clock when it lifted slightly, but it was still too hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards ahead. This being so, it was not surprising to find that the attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection.”

At 6am, Lt. RE Melly, No.1 Company, reported that his men had taken the German Maltz Horn trench.

At 6.30am, 2/Lt. CP Moore reported that he had 150 men, 4 Stokes Mortars and 2 Lewis Guns, but he was the only officer. He also said that due to the fog, both his “flanks were in the air” i.e. he was not in contact with neighbouring troops.

At 9.10am, Moore was still not in contact at his flanks, and now he had only 75 men, he had sent out 2 patrols and neither not returned. Later Moore established communication with the French on his right.

Around 10.00am, 2/Lt Musker reported that he had just over a company with him, but his left flank was suffering from German machine gun fire. Later he reported that he had over 30 casualties from the machine gun fire. His flanks were also “in the air”. No contact was made with this party until the remnants returned around 9.30pm, all runners sent were killed or missing. The War Diary states that this group had: ”held the ground won all day, and this permitted the consolidation of the ground won on the Maltz Horn ridge with little interference from the enemy”.

Relief for 20/Kings had been planned for 11.00pm, but it was 5.00am on the 31st July before it took place, ending a tragic day for the Liverpool Pals.

Casualties for 20^th Battalion were 16 Officers and 357 Other Ranks

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30^th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55^th Division during the early hours of the 31^st July. 

The events of 30^th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89^th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.

After ten months, on 31st May 1917, the Army Council officially declared him to have been killed on or since 30th July 1917.

Ellis' body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

Ellis is also commemorated on the St Dunstan's Church, WW1 Roll Of Honour, Edge Hill, Liverpool. 

Soldiers effects to his brother Charles, and sisters Emma and Elizabeth Dickinson. His mother received a pension of 15/- a week from May 1917.

The local newspaper on the 04th June 1917 reported that he had now been reported as killed: 

MASON -  Reported missing July 30 1916, now officially reported killed, Private Ellis Mason K.L.R., the dearly beloved son of Elizabeth Mason. 11 Lightwood Street - Ever remembered by Sisters and Brothers.

MASON -  Reported missing July 30 1916, now officially reported killed that day, aged 24, Private Ellis Mason K.L.R., the eldest son of Elizabeth Mason. 11 Lightwood Street - Sadly missed by his old pal Arthur, Mr and Mrs Hand, also Lily.

His mother died on 17th November 1917, aged 50 she died six months after official notification of Ellis’ death.

On the second anniversary of his death in 1918 his family paid tribute to Ellis: 

MASON - In loving memory of our dear brother Private ELLIS MASON, killed in action, July 30 1916. Also our dear mother who passed away November 17, 1917, late of 11 Lightwood Street. (Two of the best that God could lend - From her sorrowing children Charlie, Emma and Eliza).

His three medals, which his brother Charles signed for, were sent to 41 Asbridge Street, Lodge Lane.

Charles, who achieved the rank of Sergeant, later served with the 13th K.L.R. and was awarded the Military Medal. His Medal Roll suggests that he only saw service overseas with the 13th Battalion.

In 1920 Charles, 26, provided information on Ellis’ living relatives. He was living in Richardson Road, and Eliza, 18, lived in Orange Grove, Lodge Lane. No mention is made of his father or his sister Emma.

We currently have no further information on Ellis Mason, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.