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The information displayed here is at the time of death.
Robert was the son of John Ellis and Emma Jane Knott. He had a brother, Amor B., and a sister, Alice Mary.
He was educated at the Royal Grammar School in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, and then Armstrong College.
Robert joined the Northumberland Fusiliers, 9th Battalion in September 1914 as a Company Quartermaster Sergeant, and was gazetted Lieutenant on Christmas Eve of the same year. He was promoted to Captain in June 1915. After an operation for appendicitis, Robert transferred to the 20th Battalion on 11th July 1916.
Robert died of his wounds on 13th August 1916 aged 21, at Vimy Ridge. His Commanding Officer wrote of him "I loved him like a son".
283 Westmorland Road, Newcastle On Tyne (place of residence as entered in the 1911 Census)
Robert is buried in the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery Souchez in Pas De Calais in France.
Robert is also commemorated on a panel in the Royal Grammar School, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, where he was a former pupil.
UK Census registers, National Archives (available via Ancestry.co.uk)
UK Military Service Records, National Archives (available via Ancestry.co.uk)
Newcastle University Archives (Roll of Service, Armstrong College Calendars, The Northerner Student Magazine)
North East War Memorials Project
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Stewart and Sheen (1999) Tyneside Scottish
Sophie Anderton, Ian Johnson, Holly Johnson, Amy Shiel, Rosie Setford