Regimental number: 6646 Rank: CPT Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 194 – 29 Date of Birth: 30/04/1883 Birth Place: Brighton, Sussex, England. Next of Kin: Mrs. B. Ansell, 14 Buckingham Street. Occupation: Pressman. Previous Military Service: 2 years 24^th Regt. Attestation: 23 September, 1914. Age 21 years 4 months. Medical: 31 August, 1914 at Valcartier PQ. Sailed for England with the 1^st Battalion he was promoted from Private to Sergeant.      

He was wounded at the battle of Givenchy on the 15^th of June, He was reported to be recovering at Connaught Hospital at Clivedon, England. Chatham Daily Planet 28/06/1915 

Private Ernest Ansell trained with the 24th Kent Regiment 1912 – 1914 at Chatham, Ontario, promoted to Sergeant Trooper with “D” Squadron of the Governor General’s Bodyguard of Toronto 1911 – 1912, going to camp with them in 1911.

Ernie was formerly a member of the 24^th Kent Regiment, enlisted under Major George Smith, in the ranks in the early engagements of the battalion. Wounded three times, first at Givenchy, his second injuries at Ypres in March of 1915. He rejoined his regiment and was wounded a third time during the battle of the Somme.  

A well known in the Chatham area as a dry-cleaner before going to the front.  

Private Ernest Ansell enlisted on the 8th of August, 1914 at Chatham went to Valcatier on August 23rd, 1914 and posted with First Battalion on Inf, on the formation of that unit. Proceeding overseas on the “S.S. Laurentic” September 23rd, 1914, and trained at Salisbury Plains until February 8th, 1915 when he went to France with the 1st Division. First went into front lines with 1st Battalion in February at Armentiers. Was in the 2nd Battle of Ypres, at the gas attack, through Battle of Festubert in May and was wounded at Givenchy in June 15th of the same year.

Ernie Ansell of Chatham with the ‘Fighting First Battalion he had been on active since the “First  Canadians”. He had won a commission “On the Field” now with the rank of Lieutenant. He had been wounded three times wounded. His his first wounds were received at Givenchy, his second at Ypres in March in 1915 He rejoined his regiment and sustained s in the battle of the Somme.     

He was wounded at the battle of Givenchy on the 15^th of June, He was reported to be recovering at Connaght Hospital at Clivedon, England. Chatham Daily Planet 28/06/1915. He ended the war as a Captain raising from private to sergeant in September 1914, before obtaining his commission as a Lieutenat in 1916. He was mentioned in dispatches for his splendid work in the field before earning the Military Cross for “conspicuous bravery during one of the later engagement at Canal du Nord in the war.” Chatham Daily Planet 8/02/1918.

After recovering at the Astor Estate Hospital, Cliveden,  he returned to France and was Sergeant of the 1st Batt., bombers. While in charged of a bombing attack at Hill 60, on April 26th, 1916 he was again slightly wounded but returned to his battalion in three weeks time. He made continual trips into the front line in charged of the bombing section until on September 21st at Courcellete during the Battle of the Somme, he was severely wounded by shrapnel, and was invalided to England. Upon his recovery, he took his O.T.C. course at Bexhill-on the Sea, and was gazetted as Lieutenant on July 1st. In one month he returned to the front and was made battalion bombing officer in the 1st Battalion. After three months he took command of a platoon, and at the “Crows Nest” engagement he was awarded the Military Cross. In October he was promoted to Captain, and was acting company commander at the Armistice.

He proceeded to Germany outpost duty east of the Rhine and returned to Canada in April 1919. Was demobilized April 24th, 1919.

After wars ended Captain Ansell like so many Canadians, none so more than those who went over in 1914 awaited their ‘ticket’ home. The Chatham Daily News of 20/04/1919 reported that “Capt. Ansell Is In Halifax” after crossing on the troopship ‘Olympic’ with others returning to Kent County. It had been a long four years since Sergeant Ansell went into the line with the 1^st Bn. CEF and now a decorated Captain was finally on Canadian soil this war finally over. 

He ended the war as a Captain raising from private to sergeant in September 1914, before obtaining his commission as a Lieutenat in 1916. He was mentioned in dispatches for his splendid work in the field before earning Mentioned In Dispatches for splendid work on the Field, and it is up for for a Medal: the Military Cross for “conspicuous bravery during one of the later engagement at Canal du Nord in the war.” He rose in the army from private to sergeant and finished by winning a commission as Lieutenant.

After returning to Canada as a Captain, he married Frances Theresa Hallinan of Chatham in April of 1921 and the couple took up residence on Queen Street in Chatham, ON. Chatham Daily Planet 11/04/1921.

Born in 1893 at Brighton, England. Married to Francis Theresa (nee Hallinan) they were living on Wellington St. West, Chatham, ON.    

He continued his association with the military with the Reserve Army becoming the commanding officer of the Kent Regiment in 1927, serving in that position for five years. With the outbreak of World War II he was given command of the First Infantry Brigade (N.P.A.M.) and in 1940 was recalled to active service. Promoted to Colonel he served a office commanding the Chatham Training Centre and Army commandant for the Kent area. Transferred to Kitchener briefly in 1942-43, also making tours of the Iperwash, ON. camp and Canadian training bases in the UK.

The CDN 26/05/43 Reported that Lt. Col. E. M. Ansell (MC) formerly the Officer Commanding of No. 12 BTC – Chatham  had arrived in Britain with troops to reinforce various units in the Canadian army. The CDN 18/12/43 reported that Lieut.-Col. and other officers of No. 12 Basic Training Centre entertained their ladies with a Christmas party in the Mess. Music and dancing was furnished by the Training Centre orchestra. 

Lt. Col. E.M. Ansell, MC, VD was awarded the Order of the British Empire in the King’s New Years Honour List of 1946.

After retiring from the Army with the closing of No. 4 Infantry Training Battalion Centre he returned to his former position at the Canadian Customs office in Chatham, ON. Chatham Daily News 2/01/1946. Col. Ansell after some months of failing health died at age 75 1/02/1969 at Public General Hospital, Chatham, ON. Chatham Daily News1/02/1969. He is buried in Maple Leaf Cemetery, ward H, lot 330 with his wife Helen (Howell) Ansell who passed away in 1978.    

See Attestation record ANSELL E M 6646 copied.

Nominal Roll D-Company, 13 Platoon  1^st Canadian Infantry Battalion. 17/02/15.

Chatham Daily Planet 8/02/1918.  CDP:- 8/02/19.

Additional information. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	MC, OBE, V.D.
Sources	Chatham Daily Planet (29-01-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (08-02-1919), Chatham Daily Planet (11-04-1921), Chatham Daily Planet (20-04-1919), Chatham Daily News (31-08-1921), LAC- FMF

Height	5' 9"
Eye Colour	Blue
Age	20
Complexion	Fair
Hair	Fair
Race	White
Birthplace	Brighton, England
Religion	Anglican
Last Place of Employment	S & K Sales Co, 809 Woodward Ave, Detroit.
Marital Status	Single
When Enlisted	August 8th, 1914
Where Enlisted	Chatham, Ontario
Next of Kin	Mother- Mrs. B. Ansell, Brighton, England. Captian H.E. Ansell M.M. 9th Northumberland Fusiliers, Private F.W. Ansell Royal Flying Corp.

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