William Edward Ansell

William Edward Ansell was the eldest child of Fred Herbert and Alice Amelia Ansell (née Caswell). His father Fred Herbert was born in Lincoln in 1864, the son of Edward Morley Ansell and his wife Elizabeth (née Pacy). He was baptised in Lincoln on 19 September 1864. His mother Alice Amelia Caswell was born in Lincoln in 1865. Fred and Alice were married in 1893 (A/M/J Lincoln) and had three children who were also born in Lincoln: William Edward birth registered 1896, Charles Frederick and Marjorie Kathleen In 1901 Fred (36), a postal clerk, and Alice were living at 'The Willows', Hamilton Road, Lincoln, with their sons, William (5) and Charles (2). Also in the household was a general domestic servant, Mary Broad (16). By 1911 Fred, now a Post Office pensioner, and Alice had moved to Brassingham, Lincolnshire, where they lived with their three children William, a farm boy, and Charles and Marjorie (9) who were at school. The family later moved to Newark and was living at 13 Kelham Villas, Newark, when William was killed in 1917. Fred and Alice were at the same address when the later CWGC record was compiled. Alice Ansell died in 1928 and Fred in 1931.

Patrol leader of the Bassingham & Thurlby Baden Powell Scouts.

Newark-on-Trent, enlisted Lincoln

1/4th Bn Lincolnshire Regiment Private William Edward Ansell enlisted at Lincoln whist residing at Newark. He was part of a Lewis gun team 'on post' when he was killed by a shell on 1st July 1917; another in the team was killed and two severely wounded. William is buried in the Loos British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France ( grave ref. XIX. B. 17).

CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'He died for home & country' Registers of Soldiers' Effects and WW1 Pension Records: legatee mother Alice Amelia Ansell Report published 21st July 1917 in the Newark Herald :- 'Eldest son of Fred Herbert & Alice Amelia Ansell of 13 Kelham Villas, Newark. On post with four other men when a shell hit. He and one other man being killed, two more were severely wounded. Part of a Lewis gun team. Joined 1/4th Lincolnshires in Oct. 1915. After training at Belton Park, Nottingham & Saltfleet went to France on July 19th, 1916. Former patrol leader of the Bassingham & Thurlby Baden Powell Scouts.' His name is also commemorated on the war memorials in the Lincolnshire villages of Aubourn, which is between Lincoln and Newark, and Bassingham, about eight miles from Lincoln. Article published on 30th October 1920 in the Sleaford Journal :- 'The very wet weather caused an alteration in the arrangements, at the dedication of the Aubourn and Haddington War Memorial, in Aubourn churchyard, on Sunday afternoon. The whole proceedings were to have taken place in the churchyard, at the corner where the noble Memorial Cross had been erected, but owing to the rain the greater part of the service took part in the church, which was crowded. 'The memorial was unveiled by Capt. Lambert, R.N. of Aubourn Hall who read out the names of the fallen which included 'William Ansell, killed in France, 1917, aged 21 years' The memorial was dedicated by the Rev. W.J. Carey. The words inscribed on the front are “To the Glory of God, in commemoration of the successful termination of the Great War, 1914 to 1919, and in loving memory of the men from Aubourn and Haddington who gave their lives. Bassingham War Memorial. Lincolnshire :- The following is a brief review of the War Memorial situated in the village of Brassingham, facing the village green. It is a polished red Aberdeen granite obelisk standing 12ft 10in high on a 2ft 10in square plinth on which are inscribed in raised lead lettering 22 names, to which have been added 7 more who were lost in the 2nd World War. It was unveiled in 1920 by Col. E. Royds M.P. J. Boulton, mason built the memorial, at a cost of £211.75. The plinth is inscribed: - To the Glory of God and in Grateful memory of the Men of Bassingham who fell in the Great War 1914-1918. Also in tribute to those who served their King and Country and returned. "Greater love hath no man" The list of names include: W. ANSELL, LINCS REGT. 'Also in grateful memory of those who fell in World War II 1939 – 1945' Above details are courtesy of Charles Anderson