ELLIS, John Frederick
| Service Number: | S3058 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 August 1939 |
| Last Rank: | Able Seaman |
| Last Unit: | HMAS Stuart (I) |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 27 June 1913 |
| Home Town: | Forest Lodge, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Naval Rating |
| Died: | Acute Meningitis, Diego Sarez, Madagascar, 2 January 1940, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
Diego Suarez Commonwealth War Cemetery 4. J. 6. Madagascar |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
Biography contributed by Steve Larkins
Able Seaman J.F. 'Fred' Ellis, RANVR (1913-1940)
Fred Ellis was born in Sydney. He joined the Navy in June 1939 as war was threatening in Europe, reporting for duty in August whereupon he was assigned to HMAS Stuart, later to gain fame as part of the 'Scrap Iron Flotilla' in the Mediterranean
Fred Ellis didn't make it to war on HMAS Stuart. She left Australia on 14 October 1939 initially to Singapore and them to the Mediterranean where she and the other membes of the 'Scrap Iron Flotilla' took their place in the Royal Navy Order of Battle.
Along the way the individual ships had split up. Stuart ended up diverting to Madagascar, because Fred Ellis had developed acute Meningitis which was beyond the capacity of the ship's sick bay to treat. Fred was transferred to a local hospital, and the ship departed to continue its mission. Fred Ellis succumbed to the disease and was buried with military honours at Diego Suarez cemetery, a very long way from home, and his shipmates on the Stuart.
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