William Ellis
first makes an appearance in Chailey’s Parish Magazine in March 1915 when it is noted that he is serving his King and
Country. In October 1915 he is noted as Ellis,
Quarter Master Sergeant W, 2nd Royal West Kent, England and in March 1916 as Ellis,
Warrant Officer W, 2nd Royal West Kent, England.
In December 1917
the magazine notes that he is attached to the RFC and this information is then repeated up to and including the final published
roll call in July 1919.
There is only
really one possibility listed at The National Archives and that is 4239 Warrant Officer Class 2, William Ellis of the Royal
West Kent Regiment. He is also noted as Warrant Officer Class 2 with the Middlesex
Regiment. A Training Reserve Battalion number is also given (TR/10/40004).
William certainly
had Newick connections and attended the village school there from 1882. Later,
during the First World War, the headmaster, John Oldaker, compiled notes on his serving ex pupils and asked each of them to
send him a photo. The photo of William reproduced on this page was the one which
he sent his old headmaster, and John Oldaker also added the following notes:
William G
Ellis
Enlisted 10th
Sept 1894, Royal West Kent Regt; still in the army at the outbreak of the War having served in many parts of the world. King’s
and Queen’s South Africa medals and clasps. Came
to England from India,
October 1914 as colour sergeant. Promoted company sergeant major, October 1914. Regimental
quartermaster sergeant, May 1915. Gazetted lieutenant 25th August 1917. Quartermaster
RFC at Yatesbury, Wilts. Transferred to 53rd Royal Sussex
Regiment. To Germany
28th Feb 1919. Demobbed 28th June 1919.
To view William
Ellis's service record on-line via Ancestry (it's in the WO364 Pension series), enter his name in the fields below:
Sources and Acknowledgements
- 1891 Census of England
and Wales
- 1901 Census of England
and Wales
- Chailey Parish Magazine
- The National Archives: Medal index card
- Simons Stevens for the photo and text from John Oldaker’s collection
