The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. W T Ellis

Walter Thomas Ellis was born on 8th September 1919 in Grimsby and was employed in a timber merchants when joined the RAFVR in June 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and went to 7 OTU Hawarden on 12th August 1940 to convert to Spitfires.

He had married Norah Makey in Grimsby in July 1940.

Ellis joined 266 Squadron at Wittering on the 26th. He moved to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill on 21st September. Three days later he made a crash-landing on Higham Marshes in Spitfire X4356. His aircraft had a damaged starboard wing and glycol system, sustained in an action over Maidstone with Me109's.

On 10th October 1940 Ellis probably destroyed a Do17 east of Brighton. On this day he made a crash-landing near Poynings Station after being damaged by return fire from a Do17 engaged over Tangmere. His Spitfire, X4552, was a write-off.

On 5th November Ellis made a forced-landing at Gravesend after a combat with Me109's. He was unhurt. On 1st December 1940 he got a probable Me109 and damaged another.

Ellis was commissioned in October 1941 and stayed in the RAF postwar. He was awarded the AFC (gazetted 2nd January 1950) and retired on 8th June 1963 as a Wing Commander.