Jul 29, 1897

Born in Belleville, Ontario

Feb 25, 1916

Attested into the 155^th Battalion CEF in Belleville, Ontario

Ø  Number 636713

Ø  Next of kin given as William Ellis, father, 110 Cannifton Rd., Belleville, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Driver

Ø  Previous military experience given as 2 years in the 15^th Regiment, Argyll Light Infantry

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

 
The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

Dec 8, 1916

Transferred to the 154^th Battalion to continue training

Jan 5, 1917

Medical board at Bramshott determines that he has defective vision and it is not improved with glasses.  He was classified as PB (Permanent Base), meaning that he was not medically fit for combat

 
Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) but remained attached to the 154^th Battalion for DPRQ&D (Duty, Pay, Rations, Quarters and Discipline)

Jan 31, 1917

Attached to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling.  Shortly after the formation of the new reserve battalion, it moved to Seaford

Mar 10, 1917

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) but remained attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion for duty

Aug 2, 1917

Ceased to be attached and is transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion

Sep 2, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

 
Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 83 reinforcements from England and was TOS the 21^st Battalion

Sep 16, 1917

Left the CIBD and joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin

 
While here, the battalion was reorganized and became the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp, sometimes unofficially called the Canadian Depot Reserve Battalion

Oct 18, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Ourton, France and assigned to “A” Company

Aug 8, 1918

During the battalion’s advance on Marcelcave, Private Ellis was first reported missing, but his remains were later found and that he had been killed in action.

Aug 10, 1918

He was buried in the Midway Corner Cemetery near Marcelcave and a cross was erected.

With thanks to Philippe Gruit for his assistance in locating
the location of the Midway Cemetery

Sep 18, 1919

The Midway Cemetery was emptied of burials there and his remains had been exhumed and reburied in the Villers Bretonneux Military Cemetery

 
Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Amanda Ellis, 5408 Tineman Ave., Detroit, Michigan, USA

 
The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, William Ellis, at the same address.

 
It should be noted that the medals had been returned more than once as the family had moved several times before they were finally located in the USA