A VETERAN who served with the army for 25 years was given a military send-off following his death at the age of 73.
Mark William Ellis, a former staff sergeant of the Royal Corps of Signals, died unexpectedly last month after catching Covid in hospital.
The father-of-six, of Stapleton, near Darlington, who was a dedicated family man, had spent a large part of his life in the army, joining the trade training school, 8th Signals Regiment and later worked at the Infantry Training Centre, in Catterick, North Yorkshire.
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Members of the Darlington branch of the Royal Signals Association (RSA) helped to give him a fitting send-off.
Alexandra Ellis, his daughter said: “He would have been really proud of it. He served 25 years of his life with the Royal Signals.
“It was wonderful to be able to bring them together. It was a very proud service and an incredible service for someone who had served for so long.”
Sgt Ellis joined the army aged 15, after both his parents died while he was still a teenager.
Originally from Somerset, he joined the Royal Signals in 1964 and served until 1989. Spending the last three years of his army career in Catterick, he and his family decided to remain in the area and he joined the Trade Training School.
He was also a master yachtsman, loved steam trains and was a dedicated father, grandfather and great grandfather.
He is survived by Barbara, his wife of 32 years, five daughters, son, 14 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Ms Ellis said: “His life was his family. He was always doing his best and he was always meticulous.”
The service at Darlington Crematorium was led by his brother, Venerable Reverend Archdeacon Terry Ellis, who had travelled from New Zealand for the funeral.
He was carried to the service in a Land Rover Defender, which he loved, while a flag for the coffin was provided by the Royal Corps of Signals.
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The standard bearer was from the Darlington branch of the RSA and the bugler, who played the Last Post, from the Royal Signals Northern Band.
Geoff Richardson, from Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band, played the bagpipes.
Ms Ellis also thanked Aldi in West Park, Darlington, for assisting with flowers for the funeral, and Co-op funeralcare in Darlington.
She has also appealed for help after losing a small bag with a lock of his hair in it.
She believes she must have dropped in at Sainsbury’s, in Victoria Road, or Houndgate Townhouse.
She said: “I’m distraught about it. If anyone picked it up they and see it had no value except to us.
“We are hoping for a miracle and we get it back.”
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