Harry Ellis served in the Territorial Army with 17th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (17 PARA (TA)). He was also a member of the Teeside Branch of The Parachute Regimental Association.In June 1965, he attended a six week course to qualify as an Assistant Parachute Jump Instructor (APJI) at No 1 Parachute Training School, RAF Abingdon. He had volunteered for the course along with his good friend Sgt Keith Kerr from 17 PARA (TA).

He was onboard a Hastings aircraft in the final week of the course for a parachute drop at RAF Weston on the Green, when it crashed shortly after take-off killing all 41 occupants on board.

The passengers included two other NCOs attending the APJI course and eight recruits about to do their qualifying jump.

Sgt Harry Ellis died aged 33 years, and is now buried in Durham Road Cemetery, Stockton on Tees.