Eric Ellis

Corporal · NZ #16503 · T2 Patrol · MM

What this roll records

Military Medal citation (Government House, Dominion of New Zealand, 1943): "In December 1942, Trooper Ellis was a member of a patrol detailed to carry out a census of enemy traffic on the coast road near Misurata. He, together with other watchers, had to pass frequently through enemy camps in order to reach the road. During one of these excursions his party was seen by the enemy, who sent armoured cars to round the men up and destroy their vehicles. Trooper Ellis successfully evaded capture, and walked to the patrol's rear base 30 miles away. On arrival there he found that the patrol had been chased out by armoured cars. After many privations Trooper Ellis eventually reached the British lines near Bu Ngem, having walked for 12 days with little water and no food, and having passed through many enemy camps en route." Source: official MM citation (copy in the collection).

The Kiwi Scorpions (Brendan O'Carroll): Cpl E. Ellis, MM — shepherd, Masterton; born Temuka, 6 Jun 1913.

One of the T2 men cut off when the road-watch camp near Sedada was overrun (22 December 1942); walked for days with almost no food or water to regain the British lines independently. Awarded the MM. Source: ‘The Eighth Army Advance / Reconnaissance in Tunisia’, Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (NZ official war history).

Shepherd, of Masterton; born Temuka, 6 Jun 1913. MM. Source: Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (biographical notes).

His Military Medal was announced on 22 July 1943. The recommendation survives at The National Archives, Kew, in series WO 373 (War Office, Military Secretary’s Department: Recommendations for Honours and Awards for Gallantry), reference WO 373/46/113. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.

Shepherd in civilian life. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.

Buried at Martinborough Cemetery, South Wairarapa - Services Block 2, Plot 313. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.

Embarkation detail from his Cenotaph record: he embarked as Trooper, 2nd N.Z. Div Cavalry Regt, 2NZEF Nominal Roll 4 p. 107. The rank held on this card, Corporal, is his LRDG rank; promotion after embarkation was the rule rather than the exception, so the two are not in conflict. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph, record 88281.

HIS MILITARY MEDAL, DATED AT LAST. London Gazette, 20 July 1943, Issue 36102, page 3317, under “The Military Medal.”: “No. 16503 Trooper Eric Ellis, New Zealand Military Forces.” The C–E Gazette pass recorded that his M.M. had the Kew file but that the gazette date was still open. It is open no longer. That pass failed because it searched the number paired with the surname; the number alone finds him at once. Source: The London Gazette.

See him in the full roll →

Where this comes from

• Missing info added from the LRDG Preservation Society’s Troopers roll.
• Honours & campaign medals from Online Cenotaph: MM, War Medal 1939-45, NZ War Service Medal. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.

In collaboration withThe Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) Preservation SocietyTo add information about this man, or note a correction, please post in the Society’s Facebook Group →

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Not By Strength But By Guile