William George Embry Ellis
Richard Morgan Ellis, son of William Frederick Ellis and Agnes Embry, married Ann Carter in 1914.
Richard and Ann had 4 sons; Thomas, William, Richard and Raymond. Richard and Ann are buried together at Tonyfelin Welsh Baptist Chapel in Caerphilly. The inscription on their gravestone commemorates their second son, William George Embry Ellis, drowned at sea 1941 aged 19 years. The inscription actually reads William George ENBURY Ellis but other documents state the correct name of EMBRY.
Research shows that William was a musician serving with the Royal Marines. In 1941 he was serving aboard HMS Gloucester when she was hit by enemy fire and sank during the Battle of Crete on 22nd May. Many men lost their lives that day including William.
William's death is recorded by The Commonwealth Graves Commission and in the Army and Navy Births, Marriages and Deaths records.
There is quite a bit of controversy surrounding the sinking of HMS Gloucester and it is well documented on the Internet as well as in print (see Links).
William is also commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, panel 59, column 3.
Gallery of Images from the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
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