The 1914/15 Star trio, Gallipoli Medallion, Gallipoli Lapel Badge and RSA pin issued to 6/2606 Harold Ellis, Canterbury Infantry Regiment.

 

Harold Ellis was born in Bolton,  England on 14th April 1886. At the time of his enlistment in 1915 he was working as a shepherd on a station near Blenheim. He embarked with the 6th Reinforcements and deployed to Mudros in late September 1915. It appears he didn't make it to Gallipoli before the evacuation in December 1915. Harold transferred to the Western Front, where he served with 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment for the entire 1916-1918 period. This was a remarkable length of service given the terrible conditions and casualty rate suffered by the New Zealanders over the nearly three-year period. He was appointed lance-corporal in January 1917.

 

In 1967 Ellis received both the Gallipoli Medallion and Gallipoli Lapel Badge. His records show he never likely served on Gallipoli, but the regulations for the New Zealand issue of these commemoratives state a recipient only had to embark for Gallipoli with the intention of landing, whether they actually landed or not. As he only made it to Mudros, he qualified for the issue.

 

All medals are correctly impressed 6/2606 L/Cpl H. ELLIS. N.Z.E.F., and both Gallipoli commemoratives are correctly engraved. The rear of the GM is unable to be photographed but is guaranteed to be correct. The small RSA pin is also correctly impressed with Ellis's service number.