Ellis, William John
Personal Information
Rank | Cpl |
Forename(s) | William John |
Surname | Ellis |
Gender | M |
Age | 30 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 05-11-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Ellis. Husband of Margaret Ellis, of Londonderry. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | RA571 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. G. Row K. Grave 5. |
Epitaph | TREASURED MEMORIES ALWAYS. A PRECIOUS HUSBAND AND DADDY. ETERNALLY YOURS MARGARET AND BILLY |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 160 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/153918 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 1 |
Squadron | 427 (Lion) |
Trade | Ground |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Beamsley Beacon, West Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Cairn with inscribed metal plaque |
Memorial Text | In memory of the crew of Lancaster RA571 which crashed into high ground on 5th November 1945 killing four crew members and injuring four |
Location | Roman Rd, Leeming, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brass plaque set into a stone plinth into which is carved with the Canadian maple leaf and the Yorkshire rose. |
Memorial Text | This memorial is dedicated to those men and women who served at RAF Leeming during World War II, including those from the Royal Canadian Air Force Squadrons, whose members came from all parts of the Commonwealth from 1942 to 1945; 405 Vancouver, 408 Goose |
Location | Opposite old Main Guardroom, RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial & Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In commemoration of those men and women of many nations who served at RAF Leeming during the second world war. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 05-11-1945 |
End Date | 05-11-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Leeming |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Air test of "George" system |
Reason for Loss | Descended below the clouds to get a visual fix of the ground without realising they were over high ground (the Pennines). The weather was poor with mist and low cloud. Crashed into Beamsley Beacon, disintegrated and burst into flames on impact killing four and injuring four in varying degrees. |