World War One Service
Veteran Details
Regimental number |
646 |
Place of birth |
TAS |
Religion |
Church of England |
Occupation |
Auctioneer's clerk |
Address |
Jandowae, Queensland |
Marital status |
Single |
Age at embarkation |
30 |
Next of kin |
Father, Robert William Dean, Koonya, Tasmania |
Enlistment date |
10 October 1916 |
Rank on enlistment |
Private |
Unit name |
Machine Gun Company 11, Reinforcement 10 |
AWM Embarkation Roll number |
24/16/3 |
Embarkation details |
Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A29 Suevic on 21 June 1917 |
Rank from Nominal Roll |
Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll |
41st Battalion |
Fate |
Returned to Australia 4 January 1919 |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records |
Plaque in Hobart Garden of Remembrance |
Date of death |
29 October 1976 |
Source: The AIF Project - UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy: https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=76265
Link to First World War Nominal Roll: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2310434
Link to Discovering ANZACS site at the National Archives of Australia: Site has been decommissioned - Notification at: https://www.naa.gov.au/help-your-research/discovering-anzacs - however we note that a "innovative new digital experiences" site will be commissioned soon.
Link to The AIF Project - UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy: https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=76265
Link to Libraries Tasmania names index search: https://librariestas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/names/search/results?qu=ellis&qu=erle&qu=dean
World War Two Service
Veteran Details
Name |
DEAN, ELLIS ERLE |
Service |
Australian Army |
Service Number |
T26608 |
Date of Birth |
25 Feb 1886 |
Place of Birth |
MACQUARIE PLAINS, TAS |
Date of Enlistment |
29 Apr 1942 |
Locality on Enlistment |
MIDDLETON, TAS |
Place of Enlistment |
WOODBRIDGE, TAS |
Next of Kin |
DEAN, EDITH |
Posting at Discharge |
Not yet specified |
Prisoner of War |
No |
Honours |
None for display |
Source: World War Two Nominal Roll: https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=798241&c=WW2#R
Link to World War Two Nominal Roll: https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=798241&c=WW2#R
Link to National Archives of Australia (NAA) Record Search: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/
In brief:
Born in Koonya Tasmania (c. March 1886).
Enlisted in Toowoomba, Queensland on 10/10/1916 - 41st Battalion.
Served in France. Hospitalised in France. Hospitalised Portsmouth England 21 September 1918.
Discharged 18 July 1919 – Medically unfit.
‘Soldier Settler’ awarded lease of 46 acres at Middleton on 25 August 1921. Was an orchardist at Middleton.
The Mercury (‘RSL Sub Branch For Lenah Valley’) reported on Friday 1 March 1946 that “A new sub-branch of the RSL, was formed at Lenah Valley on Wednesday. More than 20 members, representing both World Wars, were present. Mr E. Dean presided. Mr L.R. Lucke (President of the Kingborough sub-branch), Major J.A. Turnbull, Messrs H. Whittle, W. Michael, P. Everett and T. Cairnduff and others spoke in support of the new branch.
LVRSL Club President: 1946 and 1950. Awarded Life Membership in 1953.
Died 29 October 1976 (age 90 years).
Ellis Erle Dean – Veteran Dedication – ANZAC Day 25 April 2026
This morning, we honour and delicate our Dawn Service to one of World War Veteran’s, Ellis Erie DEAN a founding member and the inaugural president of the Lenah Valley RSL.
Ellis was born on February 25, 1886, at Macquarie Plains, the son of Robert William DEAN and Letitia Amelia DEAN – nee WALPOLE.
Ellis enlisted on October 10, 1916, at Toowoomba, QLD, and was allocated to the No 11 Machine Gun Company, which embarked from Melbourne, on board HMAT A29 “Suevic” on June 21, 1917.
On enlistment Ellis was 30yrs and 7mths, single and listed his occupation as an Auctioneer’s Clerk.
Ellis served in France and was hospitalised in there and again in Portsmouth, in England. Ellis was discharged – medically unfit on July 18, 1919, in Hobart.
On October 1, 1919, Ellis married Edith Alice Mary GROVE, in Woodbridge, TAS. Then in 1922 ‘soldier Settler’ awarded a lease of 46 acres at Middleton where the family established an orchard. In 1943 Ellis and his family were living in New Town.
In October 1941 their only son David Erskine Ellis DEAN aged 20 Enlisted for WW2. Ellis also enlisted in April 1942; he was 56 years old. Sadly, in the night of 27/28 July 1943, on board a Lancaster Bomber, their son David was listed as missing as a result of air operations over Hamburg, his body has never found and it is presumed he was lost at sea.
A few years later, at the end of WW2 on Saturday, February 23, 1946, Ellis placed a Public Notice in the Mercy Newspaper which read: -
All Ex-Service Personal in Suburb of Lenah Valley are invited to attend a MEETING in Church Hall, Haig St., WEDNESDAY, 27th, at 8pm to discuss forming our own sub-branch RSL. ELLIS DEAN, Organiser.
A new sub-branch of the RSL, was formed at Lenah Valley on Wednesday, February 27, 1946. More than 20 members representing both World Wars.
Ellis held the many positions at Lenah Vally RSL, including inaugural president, Vice Patron, Committee Member, Vice President.
In 1953 he received his Life Membership certificate from the Governor (Sir Ronald Cross), at the League’s annual state congress in Launceston.
Ellis died on October 29, 1976, at Lindisfarne, he was 90 years old.
For his service to Australia, the community and the Lenah Valley RSL we heartily thank you.
Compiled and contributed by: Adele McTye
