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Thomas Wake Ellis (1897-1918)


Sunderland rivet heater served as a seaman in the Royal Navy on HMS Renown


Thomas Wake Ellis was born in Sunderland on 30 April 1897. His father was riveter Timothy Ellis (1871-1903), from Ryhope. His mother was Kate Ellis nee Wake (1873-1957) from Sunderland. His parents married around 1893. In 1901 the Ellis family lived at 9 Back George Street, Sunderland. Thomas’s father died in 1903 and at the time of the 1911 census widowed mother Kate was working as a charwoman and heading a family of four boys at 27 Hedworth Street, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland.

Thomas enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) on 1 March 1915. He became Private 22727 in the 16th Battalion. He was discharged as not being likely to become an efficient soldier on 19 July 1915. His discharge record states he was of good character. He returned to civilian work as a rivet heater until he joined the Royal Navy on 9 March 1916. He was initially rated as an ordinary seaman with the service number SS7031. He became an able seaman on 29 December 1917.

Thomas died of accidental injuries whilst serving on the battle-cruiser HMS Renown on 9 February 1918. A court of enquiry was held into his death and it concluded that no blame was attributable to anyone for the accident. His body was returned to Sunderland for burial in Mere Knowles, Cemetery, Fulwell. He was honoured in the Book of Remembrance, 1914-18, Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland.

Thomas Wake Ellis was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One and his medals were sent to his mother.

Civil Parish: Sunderland

Birth date: 30-April-1897

Death date: 09-Feb-1918

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 9 Back George Street, Sunderland (1901 census)
27 Hedworth Street, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland (1911 census)

Employment: Rivet Heater (1917 service record)

Family: Parents: Timothy Ellis (1871-1903), Kate Ellis nee Wake (1873-1957)
Siblings: John Ellis (1894), Robert Ellis (1897), Gordon Ellis (1904)

Military service:

22727
Private
16 Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
SS7031
Royal Navy
Ordinary seaman, 9 March 1916
Able seaman, 29 December 1917

Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Mere Knowles Cemetery, Fulwell, Sunderland (A ward)
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham

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