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Auction: 15003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 73

(x) A Second War '1944' Night Fighters' D.F.C. Group of Six to Beaufighter and Mosquito Pilot, Squadron Leader H.V. Ellis, 600 and 219 Squadrons, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Who Was Accredited With At Least 3 Destroyed, 1 Probable and 2 Damaged, During Two Full Tours of Operational Flying From 1940-1944
a) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse dated '1944'
b) 1939-1945 Star, with Battle of Britain Bar
c) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Star
d) Italy Star
e) War Medal
f) Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R. (Act. Sqn. Ldr. H.V. Ellis, R.A.F.V.R.), generally very fine, mounted as originally worn (6)

D.F.C. London Gazette 3.11.1944 Acting Squadron Leader Harold Valentine Ellis (84968), R.A.F.V.R, 219 Squadron
'Squadron Leader Ellis has completed many sorties by night and day, often in most adverse weather. His determination and keeness throughout have been most commendable and have set an excellent example. He has destroyed three enemy aircraft and damaged several others.'

The Recommendation, dated 11.8.1944, states: 'This Officer has been flying operationally, in a night fighter squadron since December 1940. During his first tour in No.600 Squadron he destroyed one enemy aircraft and damaged two others. He joined this Unit in April 1943 and became a Flight Commander in October 1943 whilst the Unit was overseas. He has so far destroyed two enemy aircraft and probably destroyed a third on his second tour. Squadron Leader Ellis has, at all times, shown himself to be extremely proficient as a pilot in any type of weather both by day and by night. During a period of two years when he never had the opportunity of chasing an enemy aircraft, he carried out many sorties by day and by night in the worst possible weather. His determination and keeness to destroy the enemy together with his high standard of pilotage have, during the 3 1/2 years I have known this Officer, been of the highest order. I recommend him strongly for the award of the D.F.C.'

Remarks By Air Officer Commanding: 'This Officer has completed two operational tours comprising 370 operational hours, during which he has Destroyed 3 enemy aircraft and Probably Destroyed a fourth. I consider his devotion to duty and achievements over a very long period of active operational flying well merits the award of the D.F.C.'

Squadron Leader Harold Valentine Ellis, D.F.C. enlisted as a Sergeant Pilot (754961) in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in August 1939; with the outbreak of the Second War he carried out initial training at 1 E.F.T.S. and 10 S.F.T.S.; he was commissioned in September 1940, and served operationally with 600 (Night-Fighter) Squadron (Beaufighters), Catterick; the squadron, as an early pioneer of night fighting suffering with the unrealiability of rader, met with very limited success during 1940; after being briefly based at Prestwick, he moved with the squadron to Colerne as part of 10 Group in the West Country; the squadron started scoring, and Ellis opened his account when he Damaged a Ju.88 over Colerne, 1.6.1941; he Destroyed a He.III north-west of the Scillies, 8/9.9.1941 and Damaged a Do.217 off Falmouth, 18/19.12.1941; Flight Lieutenant, September 1942; he was posted overseas to Algeria for operational flying with 219 Squadron (Beaufighters), April 1943; the squadron was tasked with aiding the night defence of Algeria, and operating all along the North African coast, providing coverage with detachments as far as Malta; Flight Commander, October 1943; by Autumn the squadron was operating off Naples, but in January 1944 it returned to the UK; having suffered a period of inactivity the return to home shores kicked started Ellis' score; the squadron converted to Mosquitos and became operational again in March, with Ellis getting them off the mark, 'On 27th, Squadron Leader Ellis, at the Colerne detachment, Destroyed a Ju.88 over Yeovil' (Fighter Squadrons Of The R.A.F. And Their Aircraft, J.D.R. Rawlings refers); the squadron were tasked with regular night patrols over the Channel and as far afield as Holland; Ellis added a Probable to his score, 15.7.1944, before a final Ju. 88 Destroyed, 30.7.1944; Ellis and his radar operator (Flight Lieutenant J.M. Craig) finished their tour of operations, 12.9.1944; both received the D.F.C.

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