Soldier Record
George Ansell
Contributed by: John Ansell, on 2008-11-08
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| First Name | George |
| Surname | Ansell |
| Year of Birth | 1890 |
| Year of Death | 1918 |
| Regiment | Royal Fusiliers |
| Place of Wartime Residence | Somers Town London |
George's Story
George Ansell my uncle enlisted in the Royal London Royal Fusiliers 19th reg in 1915, the regt was decimated possiblely in 1917, he was then transfered to the 1st batt Royal london fusiliers, and he was killed on the 21- 3- 1918 fighting with the 2/2 btn under the command of Capt Harper in A company, at Travecy they were outnumbered by 50-1 according to the book recording the history of the 2/2 btn the london royal fusiliers, Winston Churchill mentioned the heroism and endurance of this action in his book.
Sadly he has no known grave, although his name is recorded at the Pozieres Memorial Cemetery south of Albert which I recently visited. Unfortunately I have no photos of him, they were possibly destroyed during the london bombing in 1940, I wonder if there is a photo in a local paper recording his death. Sadly he is recorded killed with the 1st btn, and is not on the roll of honour with the 2/2btn which he died fighting with. He was 28yrs old when he died.
The history of the 2nd London Regt t f. 1914-1918 by Major W.E.Gray -the story includes A-Company’s epic defence, of isolated bravery, against overwhelming odds, also it is told in Churchill’s book The World Crisis), on 23th March 1918 Capt Harper MM, A Company’s c/o capitulated, when all his ammunition was exhausted and a few of his men were still alive. With no food or sleep for three days.
Before the attack on the 21 3 1918 the battalion had 24 officers and 585 other ranks on the 23 3 1918 --1 officer and 35 other ranks were left in the 2/2 Btn Royal London Fusiliers to fight another day. My uncle was never found, possibly blown to bits by the heavy barrage which included gas shells. They were indeed very brave men.
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