ELLIS, Richard

ELLIS, Richard – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 641
RANK : Private
UNIT : 49th Battalion
ENLISTMENT DATE : 24/01/1916
AGE : 35
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Warwick, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Boggabilla, New South Wales
RELIGION : Church of England
OCCUPATION : Labourer
DATE OF DEATH : 8/09/1962
PLACE OF BURIAL : Queensland

MEMORIALS : Yelarbon War Memorial, Yelarbon Roll of Honour, Goondiwindi War Memorial

View Veteran’s Service File : ELLIS, Richard

NOTES : Born in the township of Boggabilla on the Queensland – New South Wales border, Richard Ellis enlisted in late January 1916, two and a half weeks after his younger brother Edward Robert Ellis 3551.

A strapping young man he stood 6 foot tall with brown eyes and auburn coloured hair. Initially he was a member of the 41st Battalion before being transferred to the 49th Battalion. He travelled to England and then France where he saw active service.

Like his brother and so many of our soldiers, he suffered from and was treated in hospital for trench feet in 1916 and mumps and trench fever in 1917. He returned home to Australia on 6 July 1919.

Copyright 2026 Deborah C Wheeler and Duncan McLean, Southern Downs Military History

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.