The Story Behind Torpoints Ellis Memorial

In 1897, Reporter George Warde from Torpoint was appointed as the Western Morning News representative for the town and immediate area. He kept copies of all his published reports in a notebook, which the Torpoint Archives now has in its collection of local artifacts.

Amongst his press cuttings are a series of articles detailing the tragic events of 1897 which led to the erection of the monument located in Sparrow Park, outside the Post Office, known as the Ellis Memorial.

Thanks to George Wardes reporting, we can now bring you the tale of how the Ellis Memorial came to be:

Sad Fatality at Torpoint

Reported 20th July 1897

About 8 o'clock last evening, three lads, named Hudson, Travers, and Cowling, were bathing near the ballast pond. Hudson got into difficulties. Travers went out to his assistance, and he was dragged under by Hudson .

The cries of the boys were heard by a woman, who begged James Ellis, who was in his garden, to go to their assistance. Without divesting himself of his garments, he went to the assistance of the lads, and he saved them. Just afterwards he exclaimed, "I've got the cramp, and am going," and sinking, was drowned .

The body was not found until 9.15, and it was taken to his house close by. Ellis, who was a seaman, and a son of Mr. Ellis, ropemaker, Torpoint, had only just returned from the Naval Manoeuvres, and was to have been on board his ship (H.M.S. Cambridge) at 10 o'clock last night. He leaves a wife and one child. The event caused much sorrow in the town, as deceased was highly respected

The Torpoint Fatality

Reported 21st July 1897

Mr. A. C. L. Glubb, county coroner, held an inquest at Torpoint yesterday touching the death of Benjamin James Ellis, ropemaker, R.N., who was drowned on Monday evening .

Ronald Walters, 14, said F. Hudson, E. Cowling, W. Travers, and himself were bathing at 8.30 p.m. near the Ballast Pond. Hudson was being carried away by the tide, when witness went to his assistance. He did his best to help him, but was being pulled under. Cowling and Travers also came to help, when, finding they were in danger through Hudson clutching them, they shouted for assistance .

Ellis came running down without coat and cap, but had on his boots. He swam out and told Hudson to take hold of him, Cowling went away, and witness then helped Travers. A boat came up and took Hudson and Travers in, and witness got into Mr. Salt's boat. He did not see Ellis sink, but they searched about .Henry Lean deposed to being in a boat with three others. Hearing cries, they went to the spot and took in Hudson and Travers, who were unconscious. He saw Ellis disappear and not rise again. The boat did not touch deceased, nor did witness hear him shout .

Henry John Horrall said he got Mr. Salt's boat and went to the assistance of Ellis, but he had disappeared when he had got to the spot where he last saw him. With the assistance of Mr. Tambling, they procured grappling irons, and after half an hour's search found the body about fifty yards from where he took the water .

The jury found that deceased was drowned while endeavouring to save some lads who were in peril. They expressed sympathy with the wife and friends of deceased. The boy Hudson was unable to attend the inquest, but is progressing favourably .

The Funeral of James Ellis

Reported 23rd July 1897

The remains of the late Mr. James Ellis, who lost his life in trying to rescue two lads from drowning on Monday evening, were interred at Antony yesterday. The bearers were first-class P.O.'s of H.M.S. Cambridge. Besides the immediate relatives, representatives of the Pride of Cornwall Lodge of Oddfellows, of which deceased was a member, and others attended the funeral.

Handsome floral tributes were sent, including one from his messmates, consisting of a large artificial wreath with the inscription, "A token from his messmates. He gave his life, others to save." At the prize distribution at the National School the Vicar feelingly alluded to the sad event, Ellis having formerly belonged to the school.

Gallantry at Torpoint

Reported 20th July 1897

At Torpoint last night a meeting was held to promote a memorial in recognition of the gallantry displayed by Mr. James Ellis, of the gunnery ship Cambridge, who lost his life whilst attempting to rescue two youths who were bathing a fortnight ago.

Mr. J. Shepheard presided, and said such an act of valour and self sacrifice should be recognised by the deceased's fellow townsmen. Whilst attempting to save the lives of two lads he lost his own life. Such gallantry could not fail to meet with general appreciation from Englishmen, who always admired a courageous act.

Mr. T. E. Reynolds moved the appointment of a committee to form a memorial, the balance of the fund to be invested for the benefit of the deceased's child. The general feeling was that the memorial should take the form of a headstone over the grave.—Mr. Harris seconded.

Dr. Samuel said the widow was unwilling to receive anything from the public, as she was not left in destitute circumstances. Mr. Ellis died a heroic death, simply because he lived a life of heroism.—Mr. A. F. Holman and Dr. Vinter concurred in the resolution, which was carried. A committee was formed as follows:—Drs. Vinter and Samuel, and Messrs. T. E. Reynolds, Holman, R. Nodder, Jazo, Harris, T. Crocker, and Whitelock.—The Chairman hoped the funds would be raised voluntarily, and that there would be no house-to-house canvassing.

GALLANTRY AT TORPOINT.

SIR,—As the report under the above heading which appeared in the "Western Morning News" of to-day of what I said at the public meeting last night is likely to be misunderstood, I should esteem it a favour if you would permit me to explain myself.

What I said was that the widow was unwilling to receive anything which was wrung out of the public by a house-to-house canvass, and which she could hardly acknowledge as a voluntary gift, but that it would be more pleasing to her that whatever was done should be done spontaneously. I have but to add how pleased I was to be allowed the privilege of putting such enlightened views before the meeting. I feel that this act of the widow is a worthy sequel to the noble example which was set by the life and death of her husband.

Ellis Memorial Fund

FUNDS are being raised to COMMEMORATE the ACTION of JAMES ELLIS, who lost his life in saving that of two lads at Torpoint on the 19th of July.

Contributions will be gratefully received and acknowledged by the Committee at Torpoint.

T. E. REYNOLDS, Hon. Treasurer.
E. NODDER, Hon. Secretary.

At a meeting of the Ellis Memorial Fund Committee at Torpoint on Thursday evening, it was decided to open a subscription list. A letter was received from Admiral Fremantle, enclosing a donation. Mr. R. Nodder was appointed hon. secretary, and Mr. T. E. Reynolds hon. treasurer.

"Ellis Memorial Committee" met at the Good Templars' Hall, Torpoint, on Friday. Subscriptions received towards the fund up to date amount to £27, but as there are still some to come in this may be increased to £30.

The committee considered and discussed what form the memorial should take. It was suggested that part of the money should be used to put a headstone at the grave, and with the balance erect a suitable memorial in the town. To carry out these suggestions it was decided to apply to the various monumental masons for designs, in order that the committee might choose what they considered the most suitable. The above amount does not include sums from H.M.S. Cambridge or the Royal Naval Barracks, where separate funds have been started.

Gallery

The Ellis family

The inscription on the Ellis Memorial

On the 16th August 1897, James Ellis bravery was posthumously recognised by the Royal Humane Society

MEMORIAL TO NAVAL HERO

UNVEILING IN TORPOINT 1898

On Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a large gathering, Admiral the Honourable Sir E.E.Freemantle unveiled a memorial to James Ellis, late of H.M.S.Cambridge, who was drowned a year ago under sad circumstances. The Commander-In-Chief, who was accompanied by Acting Flag Lieutenant G.C.Hardy, was received at the site of the memorial in Fore Street by Capt.Lang and a guard of honour from H.M.S. Cambridge. Amongst those present were Colonel Fowler R.A., Mr. W.D.Boger (who presided), the Memorial Committee consisting of Messrs Holman (Chairman), S.G.Vinter, J.Sheppheard, Samuel, Jago, Whitelock, Crocker, W.B.Harris, T.E.Reynolds (Treasurer) and R.Nodder (Secretary), Messrs J.Wardle, Earle, (Devonport) and Bromayed. Letters of inability to attend were from Miss Watson, Rev.J.Kitson (Antony) and Mr.R.Wavish.

Mr.Boger said they had met to celebrate an act of heroism. On July 19th last year three boys bathing near the Ballast Pond, got out of their depth. Their cries for help were heard by James Ellis who rushed down to the water’s edge and, seeing the position of the lads, sprang into the water without a moment’s hesitation. The result of his promptitude was that the lads were saved but he who had imperilled his own life for them was drowned. It was natural that great admiration should have been felt for his self devotion (sic) not only in Torpoint but by the officers and men of the Cambridge. There was also a feeling of sympathy for his wife and the result was the formation of a fund for the memorial. It was hoped that the drinking fountain which had been erected would not only be a remberance of the gallantry of James Ellis but an incentive to others to emulate his great example if occasion arose (applause). Mr.Boger then asked Sir Edmund Freemantle to unveil the memorial and hand it over to the custody of the Parish Council.

Admiral Freemantle said he looked on the act of self devotion (sic) as a noble impulse and it was satisfactory to feel that when such impulses were shown and resulted in the sacrifice of the life of the one who made it, that the act, as in this instance they were commemorating, always met with proper recognition. He hoped that the memorial which had been raised to the memory and devotion of James Ellis would be handed down to future generations as a remembrance of one who sacrificed his own life in an endeavour to rescue is fellow creatures.

The unveiling of the memorial disclosed to view a drinking fountain over a plinth fifteen feet in height and surmounted by a shaft. The basin, resting on a plinth, is approached by steps on three sides of the memorial. The canopy from which the water flows into the basin and cattle trough Is supported at each corner with beautifully polished serpentine columns with carved capitals with grotesque heads. On one side is the monogram J.B.E. surrounded by a spray of laurels and oak with the celestial crown. On the opposite side over a serpentine panel with the text “Greater love hath no man known than this”. Inscribed in gilt letters is the monogram I.H.S. appropriately designed with an anchor and a rope. The panel over the cattle trough has the test "The merciful man is merciful to his beast". On the panel over the basin is "We honour the brave". A fourth panel has the inscription "This monument was erected by public subscription to the memory of James B.Ellis who was drowned in saving the lives of two lads off Torpoint on 19th July 1897". The memorial is not only an ornament but will be found useful to man and beast. The arrangements for supplying each part with water and for inspection is certainly unique. After the water flows into the drinking basin and cattle trough it passes into troughs for dogs, then into another for sheep and finally into a sluice system. The memorial is of Cornish granite. Sir Edmund Fremantle sampled the water and pronounced it "very good", an opinion which was endorsed by others who followed the Admiral's example.

Mr.Sheppeard (Chairman of the Parish Council), accepting the memorial for use of the town, paid a warm tribute to the memory of James Ellis, who was, he said, a native of Torpoint and enjoyed the esteem of his comrades and the respect of the Officers of his ship (applause) . He was known in Torpoint as a quiet, sober, intelligent and industrious man and it was such elements that went to make up the hero he proved himself to be (Hear, hear!). There were doubtless many others in Torpoint who would be prepared to perform the same heroic deed but that did not detract from the noble act which James Ellis performed. He hoped that the inhabitants of Torpoint would protect the memorial as it were their own.

Dr.Vinter, proposing a vote of thanks to Admiral Sir Edmund Fremantle for his attendance, said that the committee had done their best to perpetuate the memory of a brave Torpointer. The crowning point of approval for what had been done was the presence of the Commander-in-Chief who was so well qualified to judge of bravery. Mr.T.E.Reynolds seconded and said that the first contribution to the fund came from Sir Edmund Fremantle and encouraged them to go forward. The speaker also thanked Mr.Doney of St.Austell, the contractor, for the noble way in which he had met the committee. The vote of thanks was carried with acclamation, and a similar compliment on the motion of Mr.Holman, seconded by Mr.R.Nodder, was paid to Mr.Boger for presiding. The proceeding terminated with the National Anthem.