Signaller Ernest WELLS 2Rhodesia Regt, died 8.5.15

[Guest Pete Wood]

Name: WELLS, ERNEST MORRIS

Initials: E M

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Signaller

Regiment: Rhodesia Regiment

Unit Text: 2nd Bn

Age: 27

Date of Death: 08/05/1915

Service No: 704

Additional information: Son of Charles Dixon Wells and Louisa Mary Wells, of "Devonia," Kraaifontein, Cape Province. Born at Cape Town.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. A. 18.

Cemetery: VOI CEMETERY

Voi is a small town approximately 160 kilometres from Mombasa and is just north of the main highway between Nairobi and Mombasa. Voi is reached by turning off the main highway and following the minor road to Voi centre. The cemetery is approximately 400 metres east of the railway station and there is a Commission sign opposite the entrance. The cemetery is surrounded by a green metal pale fence and is set back a small distance from the road.

Historical Information: Voi became a hospital centre early in 1916. In the period August 1915 to December 1917, 100 burials were made in the cemetery and after the Armistice, a further 37 graves were brought in from Bura Military Cemetery (14 graves of the 2nd Loyal North Lancs, 29 September 1915), Maktau Military Cemetery (17 graves, largely 3 September 1915) and Tsavo Military Cemetery (six graves). The cemetery now contains 137 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, one of which is unidentified. The Commission also has responisbility for six non-war burials in the cemetery.