Name
Michael Heaton-Ellis
4 January 1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/01/1919
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sub-Lieutenant
Royal Navy
H.M.S. “Taurus”
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Navy Star, British War Medal and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HENDON CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM
D. 5. 24719.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Ind. Plaque, St Giles’ Church, Wyddial
Pre War
Michael Heaton-Ellis was born in Portsea Island, Hampshire on 4 January 1899, the son of Vice Admiral Sir Edward Henry Fitzhardinge Heaton-Ellis, K.B.E., C.B., M.V.O., and Lady Gertrude Heaton-Ellis (nee Holmes Sumner), O.B.E. He was one of two children and was baptised on 15 February 1899 at the Royal Marine Artillery Church, Eastney, Hants and his father was then a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
On the 1901 Census he was recorded as living at 'Grasmere', Craneswater Park, Portsmouth, Hants, with his older brother David (aged 3), 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.
By 1911 he was recorded as a 12 year old schoolboy and boarder at a preparatory school in Winchester. 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 entered the Navy list as Midshipman on 14 November 1914 at the age of 15 and was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant, serving on HMS Taurus on 31 August 1917.
Michael died on 24 January 1919 at his home in 11 St Leonards Terrace, Chelsea, London, from pneumonia following influenza (Spanish flu). His cremated remains were interred in Hendon Cemetery on 28 January 1919.
Additional Information
His father obtained probate of Michael's estate in London on 2 October 1919 with effects of £617 14s 10d.
His brother, Captain David Heaton-Ellis, was killed in action on 27 May 1918 in France and is also remembered on the Wyddial memorial.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Malcolm Lennox
