Person:Ellis Coe (1)

1881 - With parents at South Lopham, Norfolk. Scholar, aged 10, born at South Lopham [sic].

1891 - Recorded as a private at Caterham, Surrey. Soldier, aged 21, born at North Lopham, Norfolk.

1901 - With parents at the Village, North Lopham. Shoemaker, worker at home, aged 30, born at North Lopham.

Carl Robert Coe has the following at World Connect:

Ellis Coe, b. 1871 in North Lopham a shoemaker by trade. Enlisted in London and joined the Coldstream Guards at Caterham Barracks on 11 Mar 1891. He was discharged 6 Apr 1891 (27 Days service). Payment of ?10. His attestation number 8408. He had previous service in the 3rd Norfolk Militia which were formed to defend the country while the fighting men were away. On Attestation he was 5ft 8 1/2 inches and weighed 138 lbs (9st 12 and his chest was 38 1/2"). He was tattooed with Star and Flag.

On 18 November 1914 (WW1) he re-enlisted, initially into the 2/5 Royal Norfolk Regiment which was a National Reserve unit (Army No 93594). The National Reserve was a register maintained by Territorial Force County Associations of all those who had military experience, but who had no other reserve obligation. It was divided in three classes: Class I for those under 42 in age, Class II officers and senior ranks under 55 and junior ranks under 50 for home service only, and Class III those who were not medically fit for Classes I and II. Its strength as at 1 Oct 1913 was 215,000 all ranks. In October 1914 it was formed into protection companies to guard railways, tunnels, roads and ports, thus relieving other troops for front line service. Interestingly there was a surge in recruitment in Norfolk from September 1914 as a result of the Harvest being over.

At the age of 46 Ellis Coe weighed 155lbs (11st 1 lb) and had a 41" chest. He transferred on 29 Apr 1916 to 100 Protection Coy, Posted to 54 Protection Coy on 3 Feb 1917. Then posted to 16th Battalion Royal Defence Corps (date unknown) [The Royal Defence Corps was formed in August 1917 from the Home Service Garrison Battalions of 18 Regiments. It was made up of old soldiers who were beyond the age set for combatant service, or those who were not fit for duty overseas, sometimes as the result of wounds received on active service]. On 23 Feb 1918 he transferred to 123 Protection Coy. On 20 Jun 1918 he transferred to Royal Welch Fusiliers, then 310th Protection Coy in Liverpool on 10 Nov 1918.

He had a somewhat colourful career and seems to have been in trouble from time to time, most notably: On 29 Feb 1915 Kings Lynn - Charged with being "Absent from Barracks from Tattoo 9:45 pm 22 Feb 15to 10:50pm same date". Fine of 2/6. Also charged with "Returning to Barracks Drunk" - punished with 5 Days confined to Barracks.

On 6 Feb 1917 Ipswich - Charged with being Absent without leave from 9:30 pm 6 Feb 1917 to 7:35 am 7 Feb 1917. Received three days Field Punishment No2.Field Punishment Number 1 consisted of the convicted man being shackled in irons and secured to a fixed object, often a gun wheel or similar. He could only be thus fixed for up to 2 hours in 24, and not for more than 3 days in 4, or for more than 21 days in his sentence. This punishment was often known as 'crucifixion' and due to its humiliating nature was viewed by many Tommies as unfair. Field Punishment Number 2 was similar except the man was shackled but not fixed to anything. Both forms were carried out by the office of the Provost-Marshal, unless his unit was officially on the move when it would be carried out regimentally i.e. by his own unit.

On 18 July 1917 Norwich - He wsa charged with "Whilst on active service creating a disturbance in Billet." Received 3 Days Field Punishment No 2.

On 26 Feb 1918 Milton Regis - Charged with "Whilst on active service absent from Tattoo 25 Feb 18 to 12:15pm 26 Feb 18 - Deprived of 2 Days pay.

21 Feb 1919 Liverpool - Charged with "Disobeying in such manner as to show a wilful defiance of authority, a lawful command given personally by his superior officer in the execution of his office. Received 7 Days Confined to Barracks.

He was discharged on 28 Feb 1919 and died in Kings Lynn in 1925.

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