John Sheppard Ellis
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Sheppard Ellis, also known as Jack Sheppard, was born at Sutton-in-Ashfield on 7th October 1883, the son of John Sheppard and Mary Ann (Ellis). John snr was a carter having previously been a miner. In 1901 the address for the family was Columbia Street with seven of their children still living at home. By 1911 Mary Ann was widowed and living with four of her children at 57 Newcastle Street, Huthwaite, a few doors away from her married son John. John married Florence Cooke at Mansfield Registry Office on 24th October 1908 and was father to four children, Margaret Ann, John, Robert and Alice and was working as a coal miner hewer at the New Hucknall Colliery. The family lived at 79 Newcastle Street Huthwaite Nottinghamshire.
John enlisted in the Lincolns whilst in his late teens but was bought off after a few months. At the start of the Great War he enlisted joining the colours on 7th September 1914 and was posted originally to the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby) Regiment. John was one of 'Kitchener's Marines' who were transferred from the Sherwood Foresters to the Royal Marines.His service record states that John was 30 years and 11 months old, his character very good, was 5’7” tall with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He carried no scars, wounds or marks. The following year as a Royal Marine, John set sail for the Dardenelles. The 3rd Royal Marine Light Infantry Brigade landed on 28/29th April 1915 and entered the trenches to relieve the 1st and 3rd Australian Infantry Brigades. In a letter written by Sgt T.K.R. Ball, Florence Ellis learned of the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death. Dear Madam, I am at present in the Ghezira Palace Hospital in Cairo, Egypt recovering from wounds received on the 29th April, the day that Private J.S Ellis met his death. I thought it only a matter of duty to tell you how he died. We landed at Gaba Tepe the previous evening and at daybreak we entered the trenches to relieve the Australian troops. Within half an hour of doing so poor Ellis received one through the head as he was filling his pipe, probably fired from the flank, as the enemy’s snipers were concealed everywhere. He fell without a murmur, death being instantaneous. He was the first man of the Chatham Brigade to fall, although we lost terribly during the day. I was wounded during the afternoon. Hopkins (Private A.J.) was with him in the trench, is also wounded in Alexandria. Private Ellis was one of my best men, willing and good tempered and always ready for anything that was to be done. This is a painful duty, but I thought it only right to do so as we lost the Company Captain the next day or I am sure he would have written. It is terribly hard for you, but he died a hero’s death for the cause of civilisation against barbarism. Always try to remember that. I expect to return to the Dardenelles next week. With kind regards, I remain yours sincerely. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists John’s death as taking place on 8th May 1915 whereas an eyewitness gives it as 30th April 1915. With such heavy fighting taking place it was impossible to record exact death dates and many were listed according to when battles took place. There is no known grave for John Sheppard Ellis and he is remembered on the Helles Memorial
The Mansfield Advertiser dated 4th June 1915 reported that three Huthwaite men had been killed ‘near the Dardenelles’. A memorial service to the three men which was held in the Parish Church was conducted by the Rev. F.N. Beswick, and was well attended. The proceedings were most impressive, and included the recital of the Burial Service, while the hymns and sermon were of an appropriate nature. The Union Jack flew at half-mast on the church tower, and at the close of the service Mr. A. Wilders rendered the Dead March from “Saul” on the organ. One of those men being remembered was John Sheppard Ellis. 'Kitchener's Marines' who were transferred from the Sherwood Foresters to the RMLI. Des Turner notes '600 RMLI transfers came from 2 regiments - 200 from the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) and 400 from the Sherwood Foresters. They were predominantly ex-miners and labourers, fit men wanted for their ability to dig trenches and tunnels. The 200 KOYLI recruits were transferred to Plymouth Division RMLI and were given service numbers PLY/1(S) to PLY200(S). This was also the case for the Sherwood Foresters 200 who were dispatched to Portsmouth where already 30 men were recruited and so they became PO/31(S) to PO/230(S). 200 remaining Foresters went to Chatham and were numbered CH/1 to CH/200(S).'
