Saturday 23 May 2015

Ratcliffe, William Ellis - Lance Corporal (39270)

(No soldier photo available)
19th Battalion,
Cheshire Regiment,
Died from Spotted Fever in Hospital at Rouen France
26th June 1916
Age 36
Buried at St Sever Cemetery Rouen

Newspaper Report:

Information has been received that Lance Corporal William Ellis Ratcliffe, of the Cheshire Regiment Pioneers, has died in hospital at Rouen, from spotted fever.  He was 36 years of age, and leaves a wife and two children (a boy and a girl), and a widowed mother, all of whom reside at 7 Warwick Street, Haslingden. Prior to leaving Haslingden he was a foreman builder for the firm of Messrs. Tattersall, Haslingden.  He attested under the Derby scheme, but before being called up he enlisted about thirteen weeks ago.  He was brought up at the Haslingden Parish Church and Sunday School and was a member of the Conservative Club.  He was over on furlough about a month ago, and was a quiet and steady young fellow.