Ellis | Arthur George
Biography
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Overloon, popularly known as the
English cemetery, contains 281 graves. Each with its own story. In this report series, the
Overloon War Chronicles Foundation highlights such a special story every time. This time
grave number 10, section II, row E.
Arthur Ellis (1915 – 1944)
The officer and the gentleman
“He was a fine English gentleman, a man of great understanding, a gallant Officer under all circumstances and a constant inspiration to all under his command.”
(Source: Quote from the Suffolk Regimental Gazette, October 1944)
The windmill in the distance would normally be a typical Dutch picture in these low countries. But now this mill has already been shot to pieces. The men who see the mill in the distance, advance slowly towards their objective, despite the heavy German mortar attacks. But suddenly men fall. One by one. Mainly officers. Fatally hit. And not by mortars, but by something else. Take cover! Now!
Arthur George Ellis is born on 28 February 1915 in Great Yarmouth, on the English east coast in the county of Norfolk. He is the son of William Ellis (1 December 1875 – 14 September 1944) and Maud Mary Ellis (born Botwright, 20 May 1884 – 31 August 1962).
The Ellis family then lives on the Havelock Road in Great Yarmouth and, in addition to William and Maud, consists of two sons at that time. William is born in 1907 and Horace on 15 November 1909. Arthur is son number 3.
On 1 March 1923, another son is born: Norman.
The new address at that time is the Southgates Road, also in Great Yarmouth.
From an early age, Arthur’s bravery stands out. In a letter dated 19 February 2002 from Arthur’s younger brother Norman to Peter Suffolk, researcher on the Suffolk Regiment, Norman writes of a memory of Arthur’s bravery:
“When I was about 8 years old I was out with him (Arthur), walking near the harbour at Gt. Yarmouth, when a dog jumped in the river, with an out going tide the dog was being swept out to sea, he took off his coat and shoes and jumped in, swam to the dog and saved its life, this was the sort of man he was.”
You can read the full version of “Faces from the Past” below.
