ELLWOOD, Franklin Mitchell

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Vermillion - Alberta
Regimental Number
624312
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
27 years
Cenotaph
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         4th Canadian Infantry Division
                                             10th Infantry Brigade
                                             50th Battalion  -  Calgary
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   624312
RESIDENCE:                     Vermillion – Alberta 
DATE OF BIRTH:            April 3, 1890
                                             Clinton – Goderich Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           April 10, 1917                      27 years
CEMETERY:                     Canadian Cemetery No. 2 - Neuville-St. Vaast –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             3     A     20
PARENTS:                         Mr. Thomas and Matilda Ellwood – Clinton – Ontario
Occupation:                        Saddler                                 Religion:     Church of England
Enlistment:                         Vermillion – Alberta – January 6, 1916
Enlistment Age:                 25 years     9 months

Private Ellwood boarded the S.S. California in Halifax harbour, departed Canada and arrived in Liverpool on 
October 13, 1916. Then he transferred to the 50th Battalion in mid November before going overseas into France and joining his unit in the field on November 21, 1916.
Private Ellwood was admitted to hospital with influenza on December 29, 1916 and returned to his unit in the field on January 7, 1917.
The weather on the morning of April 10th was bitterly cold conditions had to be endured by the advancing waves of infantry from the 44th Battalion and the 50th Battalion.
April 9th was when the Canadian Cops with all four divisions advancing together took all their objectives on Vimy Ridge except for one. Hill 145 was still being held by the Prussian defenders.
By midday the 50th & 44th were posed on a front of 800 yards. There was a softening up barrage onto the positions of the enemy and the infantry was now ready to stalk their own pacing barrage, advance over the Hill and then secure their objectives. As soon as they advanced the 50th realized that even the artillery and machine guns had not eliminated threats because at this point they were under heavy enemy machine gun fire. The enemy machine guns and artillery were taking the men down and as the advance continued both battalions were being decimated. Now they found themselves on the crest of the Ridge and both sides were suffering heavily. The Battalion plunged down the eastern slope of Hill 145 with the Douai Plain in clear view. They now could sense victory. The Battalion moved from Beer Trench and met strong enemy opposition but were able to take and consolidate their objectives by 3:45 pm. The enemy tried counter-attacking down Basin Trench at 5:30 pm, drove the Battalion post back about 50 yards but were finally driven off. Banff Trench was consolidated as a line of defence and an outpost line was made in Cyclist, Czar, Basin, Bilano and Boat Trenches. During this short fight on the day following the capture of Vimy Ridge and with heavy enemy opposition against them was when Private Ellwood was killed in action at Vimy Ridge while he performed his military duties.
The casualties were tallied and were…..62 men killed, 135 wounded and 31 missing.