Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War ‘battle of Cassino’ M.B.E. group of eight awarded to Regimental Sergeant-Major E. F. Ellis, Royal Pioneer Corps, late Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders - wounded in action in the battle

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; Coronation 1953, these unnamed; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (2977843 W.O. Cl.I, M.B.E., R.P.C.) mounted as worn, good very fine (8) £300-360

M.B.E. London Gazette 21 December 1944. ‘No. 2977843 Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant-Major) Ernest Frederick Ellis, Pioneer Corps (Hamilton, Lanark)’.

Recommendation: ‘During the campaign on the Lower Garigliano, this Warrant Officer by his inspiring leadership, and utter disregard of personal danger, maintained a high standard of morale in his men, thereby maintaining a constant stream of supplies to the forward troops. The high standard of devotion to duty shown by this W.O. during the counter attack by the enemy on this front on the 20th Jan. 44 when although wounded and blinded in the right eye by shell splinters continued to lead his men to the forward positions and delivered supplies most urgently required.’

Ernest Frederick Ellis was born in 1912. Enlisting into the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in 1930, he served in France, September 1939-15 June 1940; Africa, July 1941-January 1942; Egypt, January-July 1942; South Africa, July-December 1942; Middle East, December 1942-March 1943; Malta, March-September 1943; B.N.A.F., September 1943-June 1945. W.O. Ellis was wounded during the first battle of Cassino. For his sterling services as a Warrant Officer Class II (C.S.M.) of the 2032 Mauritius Pioneer Company during the battle, he was awarded the M.B.E. Discharged from the regiment on 18 November 1946, he re-enlisted into the Royal Pioneer Corps. With them he served in the Middle East, January-July 1948 and in Germany, January 1953-February 1955. Attaining the rank of Warrant Officer Class I (R.S.M.), he took his final discharge on 9 March 1955.

With M.B.E. bestowal document, cut and mounted on card; Buckingham Palace forwarding slip; Coronation Medal award certificate - named to ‘2977843 W.O. I E. F. Ellis, M.B.E., R.P.C., HQ 13 Group Royal Pioneer Corps.’; copied Certificate of Service (2) and photographs (2).