Ellis, RD

Captain Reginald Dennie Ellis

Reginald was born on January 23rd 1888, the only son of George Ellis, an Eastbourne hotel proprietor, and his wife, Flora. He came to Dulwich, where he was a boarder in Elm Lawn, from New College, Eastbourne, and despite being an only child was not the only Alleynian in his family, as four of his cousins either were or would go on to become College boys. Whilst a pupil he was heavily involved in shooting, winning the Tyro Cup for members of the Rifle Volunteer Corps, the future O.T.C., in 1904, and the following year serving as a member of the Shooting VIII. After leaving he at first went to Scotland, where he trained as a farmer, before subsequently training as a land agent, ultimately becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Surveyors, and holding a position in the Land Registry at Lincoln.
Upon the outbreak of war Reginald volunteered for service, and was given a commission in the Lincolnshire Regiment, with whom he went to France for the first time later that year. He began to progress through the ranks, and by March 1916 was serving as Captain, albeit on a temporary basis at first before being given the role fully. On June 8th 1917, whilst serving near Lens, he was first wounded in the leg, before being killed by shell fire.