Private Richard G Elliott

Private Richard G Elliott

1/6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Service No: 3138

1729

3

4

3

66

Click here for a frameable A4 print

Personal details

Family Information

Son of John and Sarah Ann Elliott of 14 Westray St, Carlin How, Stinningrove, Yorkshire. Husband of Margaret Caine Elliott of 3 Iron Row, Coatbridge. Richard's daughter Agnes McCallister Elliott died on the 17/04/1918 aged just 4 years and his wife Margaret died in January 1919. Richard also had a son John born 13/10/1912. Richard's younger brother Lance Corporal John Elliott (1319) of the 1/4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was Killed in Action on the 19/06/1915 aged 23 and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres. HIS DEATH WAS JUST 4 DAYS AFTER RICHARD'S. From the 1901 Census - Address - 36 South Marsh St, Workington, Cumberland - John Elliott aged 42, Sarah Ann Elliott aged 37, Jane G Elliott aged 13, Richard G Elliott aged 11, John Elliott aged 9, Martha E Elliott aged 7, Jemima Elliott aged 5, Mary E Elliott aged 2 and Isaac G Elliott aged 1. Richard's Pension was awarded to his wife Margaret on the 14/02/1916 (both children listed). His brother John's Pension was awarded to his wife Ethel May on the 19/01/1916.

Born / Resided

Workington, Cumberland / 3 Iron Row, Coatbridge.

Died

Killed in Action on the 15/06/1915 near Festubert during the 2nd action of Givenchy (part of the Actions in the Spring and Summer 1915)

Enlisted

Hamilton

Employed

Iron Worker in the Langloan Iron Works.

Age

24 / DOB - 22/02/1891

Buried / Remembered

Le Touret Memorial (Panel 15 and 16), Pas de Calais, France.

Cemetery / Memorial Information

The Le Touret Memorial commemorates over 13,400 British soldiers who were killed in this sector of the Western Front from the beginning of October 1914 to the eve of the Battle of Loos in late September 1915 and who have no known grave. Almost all of the men commemorated on the Memorial served with regular or territorial regiments from across the United Kingdom and were killed in actions that took place along a section of the front line that stretched from Estaires in the north to Grenay in the south. This part of the Western Front was the scene of some of the heaviest fighting of the first year of the war, including the battles of La Bassée (10 October – 2 November 1914), Neuve Chapelle (10 – 12 March 1915), Aubers Ridge (9 – 10 May 1915), and Festubert (15 – 25 May 1915). Soldiers serving with Indian and Canadian units who were killed in this sector in 1914 and 1915 whose remains were never identified are commemorated on the Neuve Chapelle and Vimy memorials, while those who fell during the northern pincer attack at the Battle of Aubers Ridge are commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

Additional Information

Richard and the Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 21/03/1915 and were part of the 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division when Richard fell at the Second Action of Givenchy, 15th - 16th of June 1915 : The 7th Division moved into the Givenchy sector shortly after their costly involvement in the Aubers Ridge and Festubert assaults. It proved to be a very difficult line to hold, being subject to constant mining, sniping and trench mortar activity. A decision was taken to make a large-scale attack on the German front between a point East of Givenchy to just South of Rue d’Ouvert, to capture some key points. 21st Brigade was selected to lead the attack, with two battalions in the front wave. On their right, the Canadians were to attack a strong point called "Dorchester" and forming a defensive flank near the Canal; on their left, the 51st (Highland) Division would move on Rue d’Ouvert from the north. To maintain contact between the main thrusts, the 1st Grenadier Guards of 20th Brigade would advance over the flat ground towards the village. After several postponements, the attack was fixed for the evening of the 15th June 1915. This was part of the Actions in the Spring and Summer of 1915 (Western Front), 15th June – 9th August 1915 : Localised operations seeking tactical advantage. After the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the French high command came to believe that the British could undertake an offensive action, not just fight a dogged defence. The prestige of the British in that operation, which was judged by all to have been a success even though it fell far short of the strategic goal of breaking through to Lille, rose considerably. It led to increased French pressure for the British army, still small and woefully under-gunned, to play an increasing part in offensive warfare. The Battles of Aubers and Festubert in May 1915 came as a result of this pressure, with woeful results. SEE PHOTOS x 42 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY JUNE 1915 and PHOTOS x 9 FOR THE 51st (HIGHLAND) DIVISION JUNE 1915. Richard is listed as ELLIOT on the Memorial. He is also remembered in the St Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for the Workington War Memorial. There are no names on the Workington Memorial. Also see photos for Richard's Medal Index Card, the 1901 and 1911 England Census (brothers mentioned in 1901. Just John in 1911), Richard's name on the Le Touret Memorial x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Le Touret Memorial Panel List, Richard and his brother John's Pension Records x 3 and the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Cap Badge. Finally see photos for Richard's younger brother Lance Corporal John Elliott's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial, the Menin Gate Memorial and the Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) Cap Badge.

Photos

War Diaries

The battalion War Diary is available on the National Archives website.

Creative Commons License

We have made this information and the images available under a Creative Commons BY-NC license. This means you may reuse it for non-commercial purposes only and must attribute it to us using the following statement: © coatbridgeandthegreatwar.com

Comments

I have just downloaded all the extra information provided by yourself John, In doing so I hope I have a lead as to what happened to his son John. I know his wife must have remarried - ? Morrison as he erected her headstone. Will never be able to thank you enough for all you do for our townspeople. Keep up the good work
Anne Richardson, Coatbridge, 28/04/2021 6:46PM

This is my great uncle. Trying to find out which St. Augustines Parish Roll of Honour he is mentioned in. Can you help.
Anne Richardson, Coatbridge, 08/05/2019 6:25PM

This gentleman was married to my great Aunt Margaret Caine. Thank you for all your hard work in compiling this wonderful record.
ANNE RICHARDSON, COATBRIDGE, 15/02/2019 4:02PM

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