Lieutenant-Colonel Ross Ellis
Calgary Highlanders

This is quite a day in history, 5 years of war … Day by day doesn’t count anymore because so often there is no distinction between days and then a date catches up to me. I realize it as a date that brings me closer to you and that is what I am living and praying for.

(Ross Ellis to Marjorie Ellis, 3 Sept 1944)

Born on 15 June 1915 in High River, Alberta, Ross Laird Ellis was a sergeant in the 15th Alberta Horse before qualifying for a commission in August 1940. He joined the Calgary Highlanders in England as a platoon leader by the end of the year but was soon selected for training as an instructor. He was posted to Camp Vernon, British Columbia at the rank of major. He reverted to captain to return overseas and rejoin the Highlanders when they deployed to France in July 1944.

He proved exceptional bravery in battle, rising quickly from second-in-command to battalion adjutant, effectively third-in-command. After the questionable performance of Lieutenant-Colonel D.G. MacLauchlan, superiors identified Ellis as a potential successor, and he earned the admiration of the troops. During actual battle operations responsibility fell to Ellis, while many perceived MacLauchlan to be hunkered in his bunker headquarters.

Throughout his time in the field, Ellis carried on continuously correspondence with his wife Marjorie, a nurse from Calgary who he had married in England in March 1944. “When we are in action I seem to work automatically and as soon as we stop my mind goes blank from the continuous pounding,” he explained after the August fighting. “Then after a bit it clears and I am OK again.”

He replaced MacLauchlan, who was likely suffering battle exhaustion, in mid-October 1944. “No one could have designed more loyal and consistent support than you have invariably given me,” the former CO expressed to Ellis, “I shall continue to pray for the battalion as—I admit frankly and unashamedly—I have in the past.” Ellis led the Highlanders through the Battle of the Scheldt, later reflecting, “The main accomplishment we got out of there was that we got as many as we could out alive.”

After six months in command, Ellis earned a D.S.O. “His enthusiasm and complete disregard for his personal safety,” the citation read, “coupled with sound judgement and tactics, and his exceptional leadership are reflected in the aggressive proud spirit of the men of his battalion, and its record of achievement.” Illness and hospitalization forced him to relinquish command in April 1945 to Major Dalton Heyland. Ellis rejoined the Highlanders for VE-Day but Heyland would lead the regiment back to Canada.

After the war, the two former commanding officers went into the automotive business together. From 1952 to 1964, Ellis served as mayor of High River, Alberta. During this period, he was also elected to a term in the Legislative Assembly from 1955 to 1959.

He retired to British Columbia where he died on 10 March 1983.