Fred Ellis

Fredrick Ellis studied at the Halifax Technical College School of Art (1909 - 1913). Recognised by the Board of Education exam with distinction in drawing and being placed second in England, he received scholarships to the Royal College of Art, London, and to study art in Italy. However, with the commencement of the First World War, Ellis instead served as a gunner in the Duke of Wellington's West Yorkshire Regiment, posted to France. Returning to London, he earned a Diploma of ARCA at the Royal College in 1921 while simultaneously completing a degree in teaching.

Still suffering from the effects of war-time gassing, Ellis emigrated to New Zealand in 1922. Taking up a position at King Edward Technical College School of Art in Dunedin under the La Trobe scheme, Frederick was Head of crafts, teaching drawing, etching, engraving and lettering.

Marrying Elizabeth Bunbury in 1926, the couple moved to Wellington with Frederick in the employment of N.Z. Railways Publicity Studios. From 1927 he would also teach evening classes in life drawing and design at the Wellington Technical College School of Art. From 1930 he became a full-time tutor and in 1939, till retiring in 1959, held the Head of Department within the College.

Ellis passed away just two-years after retirement from illness in his lungs.

See also:

• Fredrick Ellis - wikipedia