Col Sir Henry Walton Ellis - Worcester Cathedral

walwyn Mon, 05/16/2011 - 22:11
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Col Sir Henry Walton Ellis

 

When Henry Walton Ellis was born, his father, Major-General John Joyner Ellis the commander of the Welch Fusiliers, bought him a commission as an Ensign in the 89th Foot, and later in the 41st Foot. He became a Lieutenant at the age of 9, and a Captain-Lieutenant at the age of 11. Aged 13 he transferred to his father's regiment the Welch Fusiliers. By the age of 25 he had the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

 

He fought in the Peninsular Wars and was wounded at the Battle of Albuera (1811), at the Siege of Badajoz (1812), and was again severely wounded at the Battle of Salamanca (1812). For his services in the Peninsular Wars he was promoted to Colonel (1814) and made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (1815).

 

At the battle of Waterloo he was in command of the Welch Fusiliers where he was shot by a musket-ball through the right breast. He left the field feel faint from loss of blood, but fell from his horse whilst jumping a ditch, he was carried to a small outhouse where his wound was dressed. However, the outhouse caught fire on the 19th of June and he was severely burned before being rescued. He died the following day, on 20th June 1815.

 

This monument placed by the officers and men of the royal Welch Fusiliers is by John Bacon Jr. It depicts Col Sir Henry Walton Ellis falling from his horse, with Victory crowning him with a Laurel wreath.