Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Wilfred Ellis was born on the 25th of July 1889, In London, he grew up in the suburb of Middlesex. He grew up with his father Mr. Joseph Ellis and his mother Mrs. Alice Mary Foster, who was later noted as his next of kin after his wife passed away. Wilfred ended up migrating to Australia. Before enlisting to join the army, Wilfred was a Carpenter.

When Wilfred Ellis enlisted, he was 25 years and 4 months old, he was 5’8, had grey eyes and brown hair. Wilfred signed up at Oaklands, SA on the 11th of December 1914. He completed signals training in Victoria before embarking overseas. On the 26th of August 1915 Wilfred embarked to Gallipoli on the HMAT Morea.

On the 25th of October 1915 Wilfred arrived in Gallipoli. Gallipoli was his first battle he fought there for the last 2 months of the campaign. After the evacuation of Gallipoli he returned to Egypt and transferred to 13th Field Company Engineers 26 March 1916. He proceeded to France 8 June 1916 and was remustered as a Driver in December. He took leave in England in March and returned to his unit. In April he was hospitalised in France with gastro and then went to depot during May to convalesce before returning to the front. He took further leave in June 1917 and returned to his unit.

On the 5th of October 1917 Wilfred fractured his right Ulna. He was initially treated in France but transferred to England for further treatment and convalescence. 

 On the 25th of the 6th 1917 Wilfred was readmitted to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital due to inflamed glands, He was later discharged 12th of the 7th 1917. On December 27, 1917, Wilfred was admitted to the 2nd Auxiliary Hospital from Headquarters, with a diagnosis of submaxillary sinus. He was later discharged on the 3rd of the April 1918.

On the 22nd of November 1918 Wilfred committed a crime in the field his crime was using insubordinate language in the field. Due to this offence he got docked 3 days’ pay. During Wilfred’s service in the Western front he was granted 2 weeks leave in London.

On the 23rd of October 1931 Wilfred Immigrated to the U.S.A and found residence in Brooklyn, New York. He later went on to become a high-profile building contractor in the U.S.A. Later whilst in the U.S.A Wilfred contacted the AIF multiple times regarding the ability to wear his uniform; he got told he wasn’t able due to the rule of ‘you have to be serving to wear your uniform. He also contacted the AIF about the privilege of getting his service medals and he also got a negative response. Later in 1942 at the age of 52 Wilfred registered for the draft for the Americans in World War 2, he was unsuccessful due to his age.

 
 
Bibliography:

“| the Australian War Memorial.” Www.awm.gov.au, www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1338583.

(taught me about the units and some of the battles Wilfred would’ve fought in.)

“Advanced Search | Australian War Memorial.” Www.awm.gov.au, www.awm.gov.au/people/roll-search.

(helped me learn about the embarkation of Wilfred and different units.)

“Australian Soldiers, Memorials and Military History.” Vwma.org.au, 2025, vwma.org.au/explore/projects/196052/edit. Accessed 11 Sept. 2025.

(helped me learn about the battalions origins weaponry and helped me decode military terms throughout this assignment. Also taught me things about my solider and useful websites.)

“FamilySearch.org.” Familysearch.org, 2015, www.familysearch.org/en/search/record/results?q.anyPlace=Brooklyn%2C%20New%20York%20City%2C%20New%20York%2C%20United%20States&q.givenName=Wilfred&q.surname=Ernest%20Ellis. Accessed 11 Sept. 2025.

“Chatgpt.” Chatgpt, chatgpt.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch_brand&utm_campaign=GOOG_C_SEM_GBR_Core_CHT_BAU_ACQ_PER_MIX_ALL_APAC_AU_EN_021425&utm_term=chatgpt&utm_content=176457982953&utm_ad=733052273250&utm_match=e&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22239765488&gbraid=0AAAAA-IW-UVL0LOHIDro-DvCl6IpVOodc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6tKu4Jz6jgMVi2sPAh0cxi0UEAAYASAAEgKLgvD_BwE.

(This provided me on confirmation that he moved to the states, his date of birth, his partners, family, later jobs and how he looked. This also provided me with the information of him serving in ww2).

---. “Digital Item Page Gallery.” Naa.gov.au, 2025, recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Gallery151/dist/JGalleryViewer.aspx?B=3541237&S=43&N=43&R=0#/SearchNRetrieve/NAAMedia/ShowImage.aspx?B=3541237&T=P&S=23.

(This website informed me of his injuries, general facts, family members, Battalions, roles and majority of the information that can be found in this folio.)

“The AIF Project.” Adfa.edu.au, 2016, aif.adfa.edu.au/aif/.

(This website has shown me all of Wilfred’s embarkation details, his fate, and where his previous address was).