Known as Bert, Mr Ellis was born and bred on the banks of the River Colne at Wivenhoe, near Colchester, and attended a general and technical college.

He served his time in the shipyard at Rowhedge, where he met his late wife, Doris, to whom he was married for more than 60 years.

At the outbreak of war, he volunteered and joined the Royal Navy as an engine room artificer on the minesweeper HMS Saltash, which became the lead ship to sweep the channel for the American landing force at Omaha Beach on D-Day.

After the war, he spent nine years working as a harbour engineer in Sudan, maintaining the steamships that ran up and down the White Nile between Kosti and Juba. On his return to England, he worked for Vauxhall Motors in Luton before becoming a Lloyds surveyor for the next 20 years.

Upon retirement, the couple moved to Newmarket to be near their son, David, and played darts, dominoes, crib and snooker at various clubs.

Mr Ellis enjoyed gardening, both at home and on his allotment, and was a keen follower of football and other sports.

In 2003, his wife developed Alzeimers' disease and he cared for her.
In January 2006, Mr Ellis suffered a stroke but after rehabilitation at the Lewin Stroke Unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital, and the Rosemary Ward at Newmarket Hospital, he recovered sufficiently to enjoy a decent quality of life at Queens Court, Bottisham.

He suffered a second stroke in March from which he was unable to recover.

His wife died in August 2006. He leaves his son, David, a sister, Margo, brother Patrick, and nephew Tony and niece Hilary.

A service celebrating his life was held at All Saints' Church, Newmarket, on April 22 and the Rev Graham Locking officiated.
Family mourners were: David (Shippy) Ellis, Margo Holloway, Patrick Ellis, Joyce Blackwood, Hilary Bennett, Simon Bennett, Paula Pearce and Steven and Margarita Daines.

Other mourners were: Noel Saunders, Rosalind Kelly, Gill Robinson (rep Philip and Daniel), Lisa Robinson, Graham Gladstone, Amy Robinson (Tom), Michael Ryan, Ann Ryan (John, Sarah and Emma), Andy Sole (Wendy, Patrick and Tish Flavin, Jim and Kathy Shaw and families), Keith and Annette Barber, Sheila Grice, Charlotte Grice, Alison Burgoyne, Robin and Annette Chandler, Susan Robertson (John Robertson), Bob Holland, Pam Mead, Brian Donaldson (Alison and family), Josie Skillen (family), Madeleine Sanderson, Isobel Notman (Alec), Willie Dixon (Desmond Stoneham and family), Chrissie Witherup (family), Mark Farr, June Kettle (Nancy Pollit), John Cullen, Jill Tidball, Charlie Tidball, Robbie Barton, Peter Harper (Richard), John and Karen Welford (Exning White Horse), Derek Woollard (Woollard Bros), Sam McNally, John and Barbara Fitzgerald, Leslie Shiel (Trevor Stothard), Mr and Mrs Albert Kerr, Jo Campbell-Rattray, Emma Campbell-Rattray, Rita Babbington, Chris Brown, Louise Savage (Rosemary Ward, Newmarket Hospital), Louise Paxton and representing Queens Court, Roz Wright, Michelle Wilson, Sheila Bowman, Jenny Aves, Sarah Marroney, Tracy Bowman, Katrina Rayment, Alistair White, Doreen Smalley and Tom Davies