Name
Bernard Henry Ellis (DSO & DSM)
26 Jan 1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/04/1918
33
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Commander
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Hawke Bn. R.N. Div.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Service Medal M
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY
IV. B. 3.
France
Headstone Inscription
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS
UK & Other Memorials
Potters Bar, Little Heath & Bentley Heath Memorial, Potters Bar, All Souls Chapel Book of Remembrance, Potters Bar
Pre War
Bernard Henry Ellis was born on 26 Jan 1885 in Hampstead, Middlesex to Henry Ellis, marine underwriter, and Margaret (nee Morley).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Edward Vezian (born 1884), Bernard H, Winifred May (born 1888), Margaret Lucy (born 1890), Mary Ann Morley (mother in law) and 4 domestic servants were living at 23, Church Road, South Mimms.
On the 1901 Census the Family of parents, Edward V, Bernard H, Winifred M, Margaret L and Evelyn (born 1893) together with 3 domestic servants were living at Inglefield, Little Heath, South Mimms.
On 26 Jan 1904 Bernard enlisted in Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as L/748 in London.
On the 1911 Census Bernard was a solicitor and still living with his parents at Inglefield, Little Heath with his parents, Winifred, Margaret, and Evelyn with 3 Domestic servants. Bernard married Margaret Blumeld on 20 Feb 1915 at all Saints Kensington.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of the Great War on 4 Aug 1914 Bernard was mobilised as Chief Petty Officer, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. The Royal Naval Division of two Brigades was formed on 21 Sep 1914, this was staffed with RN reservists who could not be found posts on RN Ships (There was also a Brigade of Royal Marines Light Infantry). Bernard may have been deployed in 1st Naval Division, 3rd (Benbow) Battalion. They were equipped with old pattern rifles and had little in the way of support echelons but on 5 Oct 1914 went overseas to Dunkirk to assist in the defence of Antwerp (4-10 Oct 1914) returning to UK on 11 Oct 1914.
After further training the Divisions were sent to Egypt for Gallipoli landing at Cape Helles 25-26 April 1915, taking part in various actions until the General Evacuation (7-9 Jan 1916). Bernard was commissioned as Sub-Lieut (Temp.) RNVR in Oct 1915 and to Lieut (T) and Adjutant in Nov 1915. The RN Division remained in the Greek Islands until Apr 1916 when withdrew to Egypt en route to France. The Royal Naval Division was absorbed in the Army and on 19 Jul 1916 became 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. Bernard was promoted to Lieut. Commander in Oct 1916 and now serving in 8th (Anson) Battalion, 2nd Naval Brigade. The Division was positioned on the Somme and took part in Battle of Ancre (13-18 Nov 1916). In 1917 Bernard commanded Hood Battalion (21 -30 Apr) and was placed in Commsnd of Hawke Battalion on 1 may 1917. The Division was active in the Arras and Ypres Battles of 1917 and in 1918 St Quentin (21-23 Mar), Bapaume (24-25 Mar) during the German Spring Offensive. Bernard was wounded on the 25 Mar, by 26 Mar 1918 he had reached the 5th British Red Cross Hospital, with [Gunshot Wound to Neck, Severe] but did not survive, dying on 21st Apr 1918, and is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery.
Bernard was awarded Distinguished Service Medal. (29 Dec 1914) For the operations round Antwerp from the 3rd to the 9th October: Distinguished Service Order (New Year’s Honours 1917) [Per Capt. Christopher Page RN rtd., writing in 'RND' on the Battle of the Ancre (November 1916), the award was for his “outstanding leadership and initiative” in command of the remnants of the Anson Battalion, following the death of Lt-Col F Saunders DSO]
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs. M. Ellis of 8, Elm Park Gardens, SW 10, ordered his headstone inscription: "GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS".
His Brother Edward Vezian Ellis also served in the Royal Naval Division as Lieutenant RNVR Died of Wounds 7 feb 1917.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
