The Airmen's Stories - P/O C C Ellery

Cyril Charles Ellery was born in West Ham, London on 21st January 1906, the 1939 Census records him as an 'Installation and service manager'.

He married Ivy Oliver in December 1933.

Ellery joined the RAF in April 1940. He was commissioned as a direct-entry Air Gunner.

He completed his training and joined 264 Squadron at Duxford in June.

On 7th June he was flying with P/O WF Carnaby in Defiant L7004 when the outer panel of the starboard wing broke off, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable. The two men were fortunate in being able to bale out (logbook entry above). Ellery was injured and admitted to RAF Duxford Sick Quarters. He was later transferred to Littleport Hospital. He rejoined 264 Squadron on 18th June.

Examination of the wreckage showed that battle damage from an engagement on 29th May (the crew then were P/O D Whitley and LAC Turner) had been poorly repaired, leading to the airframe failure.

Ellery was again flying as gunner with P/O Carnaby on 28th August in Defiant N1576. They were scrambled early in the morning to intercept He111s over Dover. They destroyed one (logbook entry and combat report below).

They were sent off again later that day and engaged a He111 which they claimed but it was unconfirmed. Their Defiant was damaged by return fire but they returned safely to Hornchurch.

Above: By early September his logbook was being countersigned by F/Lt. A Montagu-Smith, the Commanding Officer S/Ldr. PA Hunter having been reported Missing on 24th August and his replacement S/Ldr. GD Garvin having been shot down and injured on 28th August.

Ellery was posted to 150 Squadron at Newton on 7th October 1940 but rejoined 264 on 9th November.

His subsequent service is currently being researched but his logbook mentions extensive service later in the war in Cyprus, Palestine and Lebanon.

Ellery was Mentioned in Despatches in January 1945 and released from the RAF as a Squadron Leader.

He died on 20th March 1977 in Southend-on-Sea.

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He left some captioned photographs of his later service (below).

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December 2020 - unfortunately a set of medals in Australia have been put up for sale claiming to be those of Cyril Ellery and his family have requested that we show that the genuine items are in their possession:

The majority of images and additional research courtesy of Martin Voges (grandson).