COMMEMORATED IN PERPETUITY BY THE

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Harry was a Bombardier with the Royal Garrison Artillery. The 321st Siege Battery disembarked at Le Havre on the morning of 12 May 1917. They arrived and set up their battery position at Ypres on the evening of 19th May. They suffered many days of hostile shelling whilst getting off many rounds from their own battery at strategic map targets. Bombardier Ellaway was killed on 25 June. This excerpt from the war diaries of 321 siege battery: 25/6/17 - Hostile shelling of cross roads in front of battery position. The following casualties received through going to the rescue of wounded. Killed 2nd Lieut Mills, 2nd lieut Westwood, Bdr Ellaway and Gnr Bluck. It is also noted that their bodies were buried at the cemetery the following morning.

For much of the First World War, Vlamertinghe (now Vlamertinge) was just outside the normal range of German shell fire and the village was used both by artillery units and field ambulances. Burials were made in the original Military Cemetery until June 1917, when the New Military Cemetery was begun in anticipation of the Allied offensive launched on this part of the front in July. Although the cemetery continued in use until October 1918, most of the burials are from July to December 1917.

The cemetery now contains 1,812 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.

The Ellaway family can be traced back to 1827 living in Steventon. This was the year Harry's Grandfather was born. Harry, his Father Albert and his Grandfather John all worked for Great Western Railway. The family lived in the Railway Cottages near Steventon Station. Next of Kin: Father, Albert listed as living at 134 Latimer Road, Eastbourne in 1921 - WW1 Pensions Ledger. Harry was the middle child of 8 (3 brothers, 2 sisters, 2 siblings died young). Harry's elder brother, Herbert also served in WW1 but was honourably discharged due to illness in January 1918. 

Ellaway Road in Steventon is named after this soldier's family. Please click here for further information.