In Beadnell (St. Ebba) Church Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave with a private headstone of Lieutenant John Taylor Ellis, serving on H.M.S. Eaglet with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who died 29/06/1941.

The son of Sir Joseph Ellis and Lady Ellis and the husband of Joyce Ellis, of Beadnell.

The private headstone reads:

To the memory of
Lieut. John Taylor Ellis, R.N.V.R.
beloved husband of
Joyce Ellis
Born Sep. 18th 1899
died of wounds
received on active service
June 29th 1941

Joyce beloved wife & treasured
mother of Mary & Dorothy
born May 7th 1909 – died Mar. 30th 1998
“Called to higher service”

The Newcastle Evening Chronicle 30/06/1941 reports with a photograph:
Death of Lieut. J. T. Ellis The death has occurred as a result of enemy action of Lt. John T. Ellis, R.N.V.R.. youngest son of the late Sir Joseph and Lady Baxter Ellis. Lieut. Ellis, who a director of Messrs Hindhaugh’s Ltd. Newcastle, lived in Mitchell  Avenue, Jesmond. He was 42. and leaves a widow and two children. During the last war he held a commission in the Black Watch. Subsequently he joined the Tyne Division of the Navy Volunteer Reserve, He was an active member of Northumberland Yacht Club.

The Newcastle Journal 04/07/1941 reports:-
Naval Funeral Lieutenant John T. Ellis. R.N.V.R.. of Newcastle, who met his death through enemy action, was yesterday burled with naval honours. Lieutenant Ellis, youngest son of the late Sir Joseph and Lady Baxter Ellis, was a director of Hlndhaugh’s. Ltd., Newcastle. Preceding Interment at Beadnell Cemetery, a service was held the Church of the Divine Unity. Newcastle, conducted by the Rev. Herbert Barnes. Lieutenant Ellis’s ship was represented by Lieut. J. M. Taylor R.N.V.R.: Skipper-Lleut. E. C. Rowe R.N.R.; Surgeon-Lieut J. R. Brown R.N.V.R.: and Petty Officer R. C Welsh, R.N.

Acknowledgments: Barney Rice

John Taylor Ellis is remembered at Beadnell on B10.03 and B10.04, in Jesmond on J1.04 and J1.18, in Newcastle in NUT050  and on our List of Ships’ crews.