Name
Percy William Elliott (*1)
21 July 1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/08/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
A/10285
King's Royal Rifle Corps
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Shenley War Memorial,
St Margaret's Church Memorial, Ridge (*1),
St Margaret's Church Roll of Honour, Ridge (*1),
Kelvedon Memorial, Essex
Pre War
*1 Cautionary Note: Both Herts At War and others have identified this man (Lance Corporal A/10285, Percy William) as the man commemorated on the Shenley, as Percy William Elliott, and the Ridge memorials as ‘Percy Elliott - K.R.R.C’ and ‘William Percy Elliot King’s Royal Rifles Corps’ on the latter, however there are significant discrepancies. The ‘main’ Ridge memorial suggests that he was a Rifleman/Private – as rank is listed for other men – this man was a Lance Corporal - and that he fell on 5th February 1915 aged 23, but this man was 21 and died on 18 August 1916.
Another possible man is Rifleman A/1215, William Elliot - also in the KRRC and died of wounds on 8th February 1915 in No. 4 Field Hospital (listed under A/215). The Ridge memorial gives DOD, aged 23, as 5th February 1915 and I acknowledge that ‘William Percy’ age does not help corroborate, as he was born in 1875 and was 40. However, in a transcribed record, he is recorded as wounded on 15th February 1915 – this could be a transcription error and perhaps should read the 5th – this would then appear to corroborate the date of death on the Ridge memorial. This man’s parents were Joseph and Emma Elliott, of 56, Cranbrook St., Bethnal Green, London and his legatee was his sister Martha Montell.
On the face of it neither man has an obvious connection to Shenley of Ridge, we bother rely on “Prior to enlistment Percy was employed as a gardener in Shenley (probably Porters Park or Ridgehurst)” but I have been unable to find the source or other confirmation to help connect that with either man. If you can help please do so.
***
Percy William Elliott was born on 21 July 1891 at Kelvedon, Essex, the only child of Daniel and Eliza Elliott (nee Deeks) and was baptised on 6 September 1891 at St Mary's Church, Kelvedon.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at High Street, Kelvedon where his father was working as a brewer's carter. His mother died in 1903 and his father returned to his parents' cottage in Kelvedon with his unmarried sister Martha who then looked after young Percy and his father.
By the 1911 Census was working as a gardener (domestic) and living with a fellow gardener, Ernest Wheatley, at Beaurepaire Gardens, Sherborne St John, Hampshire. His father and aunt remained in Kelvedon.
Prior to enlistment, Percy was employed as a gardener in Shenley (probably at Porters Park or Ridgehurst).
Wartime Service
He enlisted in London and joined the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, serving in France from 30 June 1915 as a Lance Corporal.
Percy was killed in action on 18 August 1916, aged 23. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £6 10s and pay owing of £13 1s 2d. His aunt Martha Elliott, received a pension of five shillings a week.
Acknowledgments
Taff Williams, Brenda Palmer
shenleyww1.wordpress.com
