I found Thomas Arthur’s death when I was searching the Newspapers and then when I entered Saltney onto the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. In 1918 the death toll in Flintshire was one of the worst in the country and many servicemen died.
He was born 11th November 1893 to Thomas & Sarah Sophia ELLIS (nee KENT), they are seen for the first time on the 1901 census living at 14, Chester St., Saltney, Chester. Head of the household was father Thomas Ellis, 38 and a Schoolmaster, born in Saltney. His wife Sarah S. Ellis was34 and had been born in Fenton, Staffordshire, their 2 sons Thomas A, 7 and Eric Kent Ellis, 3 had both been born in Saltney.
Sarah Sophia had come to work in Chester as she is seen on the 1891 census living at 14, Mount Pleasant, Chester.(St. Mary’s without the Walls). She was a Boarder, age 23 and an Elementary Schoolmistress, born in Stoke-on-Trent, living in the household of Mary A. Griffiths and her daughter Annie.
Thomas Arthur had won a University Scolarship to London University winning first class honours in Mathematics and physics, then becoming a Lecturer in the University in pure and applied mathematics.
I asked the Army Forum http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?/topic/241054-royal-air-force-ministry-of-munitions-and-royal-air-force/ about where I might find his records and nieuport11 replied with this information, many thanks to him.
ID: 2 Posted yesterday at 09:20 · Report post
His Military record is in AIR 76/150/170:
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8257769
There is also a RNAS record in ADM 273/14/62
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9750104
His casualty card is in the RAF Museum collection:
http://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/ellis-t.a.-thomas-arthur
The pages below are from his Service Records which I downloaded from the information above. I have copies, if anyone would like to see them,
Special Qualifications
Census /511
BSC London 1st Class Honours in Physics 1913
BSC London 1st Class Honours in Maths 1915
Higher papers applied (Maths) Post graduate work in Electromagnetic Theory. Hydrodynamics Theory in Electricity & *& Theory of Junctions* for Msc.1end?.
Since joining RNASL Experience with instrument Section since it’s formation in July 1917. Late Head of TB9or*)C. Responsible for methods of reduction of Observation & Tests Calculations, abacs, and tables. Atmospheric Theory. Theoretical Investigations and at present in charge of all Mathematices and calculations in connection with the development of Aeroplane Instruments.
Occupation in Civil Life. :-Lecturer in the Departments of Pure and Applied Mathematics at University College, London.
Employer – The Provost, University College, Gower, St., London.:- Date – From – Oct. 1914 to Dec 1916
NAVAL – Thomas Arthur ELLIS
D.o.B. – 18th November 1893
Date Sheet Started. – 25/9/1917
Movements – Date of Effect – 5th Feb 1917 – Special Remarks re Duties – Experence Intr dutied under A.S.D.
Appointments and Promotions – Temp. Sub.Lieut. R.N.V.R. – Date of Effect – 5th Feb. 1917 (London Gazette ?/5/15.)
Date of Entry into Air Service – 5th February 1917- he joined Major Filson at the Air Board, who when Thomas Arthur died wrote about him in high appreciation. The Service Papers above gives more information on his short career.
Thomas Arthur Ellis in the England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966
ELLIS, Thomas Arthur of Moss Lea, Saltney, Cheshire, Captain Royal Air Force died 20 November 1918 at 10, Kingshull Road, Beckenham, Kent. Administration Chester 30 October 1920 to Sarah Sophia ELLIS, Widow. Effects £297 15s 7d.
How sad that Thomas Arthur was to die, especially of the influenza and pneumonia, when he obviously had so much to give and would have contributed to the war effort, indeed to the world.
