John Ellis

Air Vice-Marshal John Raymond Ellis, (born 3 November 1963) is a British Anglican priest and former police officer. Between July 2018 and July 2022 he served as Chaplain-in-Chief of the Royal Air Force Chaplains Branch and Archdeacon for the Royal Air Force. He had worked as a police officer and then in parish ministry in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich from 1997, before joining the Royal Air Force Chaplains Branch in 2004.

Early life and education Ellis was born on 3 November 1963 in Malta. He was educated at Hamond's Grammar School in Swaffham, Norfolk, England: the school became a comprehensive school as Hamond's High School while he was there. He worked as a police constable with Suffolk Constabulary from 1983 to 1995.

Ordained ministry Having trained for Holy Orders at St Stephen's House, Oxford, he was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1997 and as a priest in 1998. From 1997 to 2000, he served his curacy in the multi-church benefice of Clare in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. Then, from 2000 to 2002, he was priest-in-charge of St John's and St George's, Bury St Edmunds, two Anglo-Catholic churches in the town. In 2002, the churches merged with a neighbouring church to form one benefice, and he became team vicar of All Saints with St John's and St George's, Bury St Edmunds. he was commissioned into the Royal Air Force Chaplains Branch on 5 August 2004. He then served as chaplain to several RAF stations, and served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. and to the relative rank of wing commander on 1 January 2011. He then served as Joint Force Senior Chaplain in Afghanistan. He then served as Deputy Chaplain-in-Chief (Personnel) and was based at Headquarters Air Command. As the most senior Anglican chaplain, he also served as Archdeacon for the Royal Air Force. He retired from the RAF in July 2022.

Personal life In 1985, Ellis married Amanda. Together they have one son and one daughter. He is also a recipient of the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, the Iraq Medal, and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.