Date of birth:

February 28th, 1917 (Deal/Kent, Great Britain)

Date of death:

November 19th, 2001

Service number:

37850

Nationality:

British

John Ellis joined the RAF in March 1936. After the outbreak of the Second World War he was posted to No. 610 Squadron and saw considerable action over Dunkirk during the retreat of the BEF. In July of that year he was leading the Squadron. In the second half of 1942 he was sent to Karthoum, Sudan.
In Spring 1943 he was restationed at Malta to lead the Krendi Wing but on June 13th he was shot down by Me 109's when escorting B24's who were going to attack Gerbini airfield. He bailed out over sea and was picked up by a German search and rescue party. He was ent to Stalag Luft III and became active in the Escape Committeen as no. 2 under
Roger Bushell.
After he was liberated after the war, he remained in the RAF in various postings until he retired in February 1967. He subsequently ran a business for a time after which he retired fully.

Post war decorations:
January 31st, 1947: MiD
May 31st, 1956: OBE
June 13th, 1957: MiD
June 11th, 1960; CBE

Promotions:
March 23th, 1937: Pilot Officer
? : Flying Officer
September 3th, 1940: Flight Lieutenant
September 1st, 1941: Temporary Squadron Leader
March 23th, 1942: Squadron Leader
April 1st, 1946: Temporary Wing Commander
September 1st, 1945: Appointment to commission as Squadron Leader
January 1st, 1951: Wing Commander
January 1st, 1959: Group Captain

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flight Lieutenant

Awarded on:

August 13th, 1940

Citation:
"This officer was employed on offensive patrols over Dunkirk during the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force and led his flight with great courage. On two occasions, whilst deputising for his Commanding Officer, he led a patrol of four squadrons, displaying great initiative and leadership. During these patrols Flight Lieutenant Ellis destroyed two enemy aircraft.
Later, whilst engaged on home defence duties, he shot down one enemy bomber. In July, 1940, whilst leading the squadron, he destroyed two enemy aircraft and on the following day he shot down a further three of eight enemy aircraft destroyed by his squadron.
Flight Lieutenant Ellis has displayed courage and leadership of a high order."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 610 (County of Chester) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

May 2nd, 1941

• Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
• - The London Gazette Issue 34920 published on the 13 August 1940
  - The London Gazette Issue 35151 published on the 2 May 1941