Stanley Ellis

A Leading Seaman with S.S. Tyrhaug, Stanley died on 22nd of March 1918 at the age of 26. 

Stanley was born at Tunstall, near Halvergate, Norfolk, on 14 June 1891, a son of James and Mary Ellis. He was baptised at Tunstall on 26 July 1891. By 1901 his family were living at Norwich Road, Stalham, Norfolk. Later his family lived at Brunstead, Stalham.

On 18 October 1915 Stanley married Gertrude Clara Colby (Coleby) at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. Stanley was an Able Seaman with the Royal Naval Reserve serving on the ‘Maid of Honour’ and Gertrude lived at 60 Ipswich Road. During the war Gertrude lived at 8 Factory Street, Lowestoft. In 1920 she married Robert Grimmer. 

Stanley was living at Brunstead, Stalham, when he joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 18 November 1914. He served at H.M.S. Pembroke until 19 December 1914 when he joined the Merchant Fleet Auxiliary ship Tringa. On 8 July 1915 he joined the hired yacht Maid of Honour. On 14 September 1916 he was drafted to H.M.S. Victory II and then H.M.S. Excellent. Then, on 22 November 1917, he was drafted to H.M.S. President III for work on Defensively Armed Merchant Ships and he joined the S.S. Tyrhaug.

On 22 March 1918 the Tyrhaug was sailing ten nautical miles north-east of the Pendeen Lighthouse, Cornwall, and was hit by a torpedo fired by submarine UB-103. The ship sank and two of the crew, including Stanley, were killed.