The cousin of Francis John ROSKRUGE, born in St Keverne near Helston, the third child of James and Annie E Roskruge.  Her father died in her early years, and her widowed mother brought up the family by working as the sub-postmistress locally in St Keverne. Her first exhibition in 1900 was with the RCPS (Falmouth). She sold three paintings at NAG in 1906. At the time of her one RA success in 1910 she was living at Yelverton, South Devon.

Exhibited two paintings entitled Wall Flowers, and A Bluebell Wood at NAG Winter Exhibition of 1911. She also exhibited in the craft section of the 1926 Christmas Show at NAG (no detail). Upon STISA's formation she was an associate only, becoming a full member in 1931. In the late 1930s Ethel was highly regarded as a miniaturist, working alongside Mabel Maud DOUGLAS and Blanche Hamilton POWELL, and she produced a number of tiny books which she illustrated.