Ernest Wells
He was a miner.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Ernest Wells (junior) was born on 9th February 1889 at St Ann's, Nottingham, he was the son of Ernest Wells (senior) a plasterers labourer and Lois Wells née Bray and the brother of Mary Ann and John William Wells. of 4, Ropewalk Terrace, Jackson Street St Ann's Well Road
His father Ernest Wells (senior) was born in 1880 at Nottingham his mother Lois Bray was born in 1882 at Nottingham, they were married in 1899 at Nottingham, they had 4 children, sadly 1 died in infancy or early childhood.
In 1901 they lived at 9 Belle View Road, St Ann's, Nottingham.
In the 1911 census the family lived at 1 Reform Terrace, Westminster Street Ernest Wells (senior) 31 yrs a plasterers labourer, he is living with his wife Lois 29 yrs and their children, Ernest 11 yrs, Mary Ann 9 yrs and John William 8 yrs of age.
Ordinary Seaman Ernest Wells enlisted on 7th March 1917, he later transferred to HMS Motagua on 2nd August 1917, he was killed on 19th March 1918, his name is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
HMS Motagua was a commercial liner, Emil L. Boas converted for use as an Armed Merchant Cruiser in the Royal Navy. At 8:10am on 19 March 1918 at Lat 49.50, Long -8.47 while escorting a convoy out of Dakar, Motagua collided with the American destroyer U.S.S. Manley. The destroyer's depth charges detonated on her stern, heavily damaging Motagua and setting Manley afire. Twenty-eight of Motagua's crew were killed and many wounded (one of whom would later die). The ship pulled into Devonport on 20 March, to remain until at least late May. (Wikipedia)
Ernest Wells's nephew David Wells notes:
'He first attempted to join the Royal Naval Division on 1 September 1915 giving a birth date of 9 February 1898 but, then being discharged on 9 October 1915 when he was discovered to be under age. He eventually joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in March 1917 giving a birth date of 9 February 1899. He was clearly very keen like many others at the time to join up and participate in what was happening.'
Photo of Ernest Wells
Plymouth Naval Memorial