---

 

Private Francis Ellis

 

Francis Ellis was born on 15 April 1892 in Arva, County Cavan, the sixth of eleven children of labourer (later shopkeeper and farmer) Arthur Ellis and his wife Mary (née Culreavy (or Gray)). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living in Longford Street, Arva, with his parents and seven of his nine surviving siblings, and working on the family farm.

Ellis enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Cavan on 11 July 1917 (regimental number 2620 or 2621 – later Corps of Hussars No.71914). he was described as being 5' 8½" tall, with a fresh complexion, dark hair, brown eyes and round shoulders. He stated that he was employed as a merchandise dealer.

He trained at the regiment's reserve base at Antrim, but was reported to have deserted around May 1918. Whether he subsequently returned to duty is not known.

 

This page last updated 25 January 2024.