Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Daniel Wells, a stockman and framework knitter, born 1860 in Whetstone, Leicestershire, and his wife Catherine Wells (nee Wale, married in the 4th quarter of 1877 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), a hosiery trade seamer, born in the 4th quarter of 1854 in Whetstone, she was the daughter of Joseph Wale. Ernest Maurice was born on the 27th February 1888 in Whetstone and was baptised on the 22nd April 1888 in Whetstone parish church, his siblings were, George Henry, a schoolboy, born 1880, Alice Jane, a schoolgirl, born 1884 and Samuel, born 1887, all his siblings were born in Whetstone, in April 1891 the family home was at Blaby Lane, Whetstone. In March 1901 Ernest was employed as a shoe trade riveter and was residing in the family home at Blaby Lane, Whetstone, together with his father, a hosier, his mother and siblings, George, a shoe trade riveter, Mary, a Griswold stocking knitter, Alice, a Griswold stocking knitter, Samuel, a shoe trade riveter, Leonard, born 1892, Arthur Stephen, born 1894 and Olga Catherine, born 1898, the latter three siblings were all born in Whetstone. Ernest attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 9 years with the Colours and 3 years in the Reserve on the 2nd July 1906 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Whetstone, Leicestershire, his age as 18 years and 6 months and his trade or calling as shoe hand. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Daniel, mother Catherine, older brothers George and Samuel, younger brothers Leonard and Arthur and sister Mary, all of Blaby Road, near Wigston as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8¼ inches in height, weighed 116½ pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 37 inches. His complexion was described as sallow, his hair colour was light brown and he had brown eyes. It was noted that he had a slight superficial scar on the right side of his face near the corner of his mouth and numerous moles on his body back and front. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 2nd July 1906 in Leicester. His record of service commenced when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment on the 5/7/06 as a Private, service number 7932. Discharged on the 6/7/06. Having claimed his discharge on payment of £10.00 under Section 81 of the Army Act. £5.00 Purchase money refunded to Mr. Daniel Wells, Woodbine Cottage, Whetstone, Leicestershire on the 16th January 1908 on the recruitment of 7932 Maurice Wells into the Leicestershire Regiment. In April 1911 Ernest was absent from the family home at On the Hill, Whetstone, residing there was his father, a framework knitter, his mother and siblings, Isabella, a Griswold knitter, born 1878 in Whetstone, Samuel, a boot maker and riveter, Leonard, a carter, Arthur, a shoe trade clicker and Olga, a shoe trade machinist. Ernest was now a serving soldier having enlisted into the Coldstream Guards on the 29th October 1908 and was stationed at Ramillies Barracks, Marlborough, Lines, Aldershot, Hampshire. On the 25th December 1912, Ernest married Annie Eliza Sabin, in the Blaby Baptist Church, Leicestershire, they had one daughter, Annie Wells, who was born on the 30th December 1913. His wife was born in the 3rd quarter of 1889 in Blaby, she was the daughter of William and Emma Sabin of Blaby. Ernest was educated at the National School in Whetstone, he embarked for France at the outbreak of war and was killed in action at Cuinchy, France and was buried in the cemetery there.
The War Diary records: 1 Feb-15 – During the early morning the Germans threw a number of bombs into our advanced trench by the railway, and forced the garrison to evacuate it, thus throwing the left of the line and No.4 Company back to a barricade of sandbags. We counter attacked but were beaten off with rather heavy loss. Later in the morning our Heavy Artillery bombarded the position with, to the Germans, appalling results, the Field Artillery searched their remaining trenches, and another counter attack was entirely successful, further ground also being gained. In the two counter attacks the Irish Guards (No.4 Company under Captain E. B. Greet) were of invaluable assistance, both during the attacks and afterwards in holding and counter strengthening the defences of the positions gained. Our casualties from 8:00pm 30-1-15 to 9:00pm 1-2-15 were killed. Officers 2 Captain Lord Northland and 2nd Lieutenant J. A. Carter-Woods. Other ranks 20. Wounded. Other ranks 52. The Irish Guards lost. Killed 2 Officers. Wounded 3 Officers and 32 other ranks killed and wounded. About 8 to 9:00pm the Battalion was relieved by the 3rd Battalion and marched to the orphanage, Bethune to billets where it rested until 3:30pm, 3rd.