Name
David Heaton-Ellis (MC)
12 April 1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/05/1918
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
Rifle Brigade
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Military Cross
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SOISSONS MEMORIAL
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Memorial in St Giles’ Church, Wyddial, Repton School War Memorial, Derbyshire, WW1 Roll of Honour, St Laurence Church, Church Stretton, Shropshire
Pre War
David Heaton-Ellis was born on 12 April 1897 in Portsea Island, Hampshire. the son of Vice Admiral Sir Edward Heaton-Ellis, K.B.E., and of Lady Gertude Heaton-Ellis (nee. Holme Sumner), of "Le Prieur`e," Mainville par Draveil, Seine-et-Oise, France and of Wyddial Hall, the family seat. He was one of two children and had a brother Michael. He was baptised on 15 May 1897 at St Paul's Church, Southsea, Hampshire.
On the 1901 Census he was recorded as living at 'Grasmere', Craneswater Park, Portsmouth, Hants, with his older brother David, in the care of two servants, a nurse and a cook. His parents were not listed with them but his father was at sea on the Royal Navy ship Warspite.
He was educated at Cothill House, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and in 1911 was recorded on the Census as a pupil at Repton School, Derbyshire. His father meanwhile was captain of the RN Good Hope, then positioned in Gibraltar.
His parents later lived at La Prieure, Mainville-par-Draveil, Seine-et-Uise, France and Wyddial Hall, the family seat.
Wartime Service
He attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst as a Gentleman Cadet, and was commissioned into the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) as a 2nd Lieutenant on 23 December 1914, being promoted to Lieutenant on 22 November 1915 and Captain on 30 July 1917. After training with the 5th/6th Battalions he joined the 2nd Battalion on the Western Front
He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) on 27 May 1918 and the citation in the London Gazette of 13 September 1918 reported it had been awarded "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer commanded a front-line company which was repeatedly attacked by the enemy, and held its position when the company on its flank had given ground. By his coolness and skilful direction of fire on parties of the enemy who endeavoured to work round his flanks he successfully prevented the enemy from penetrating a gap in the line. He did fine work."
David was killed in action at Berry-au-Bac, France on 27 May 1918 during the Battle of the Aisne. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £75 and pay owing of £17 12s 11d. He also obtained probate of David's estate in London on 2 October 1919 with effects of £497 8s.
His brother, Sub-Lieutenant Michael Heaton-Ellis R.N., died on 24th January 1919 and is also remembered on the Wyddial memorial.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Malcolm Lennox, www.findagrave.com
