Pte 16057 Arthur Elliott

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Arthur Elliott was born in Liverpool in the June quarter 1893, the son of Archibald James McDowell Elliott who had been born in Donaghmore, Donegal in Ireland and his wife Margaret Stopforth (nee Sibbald). His mother had a daughter, Florence Margaret Sibbald, in Toxteth, Liverpool,1889, who later took the name Elliott.  

On the 1891 census A. McD. Elliott, a 38- year old married accountant born in Ireland, is boarding in Liverpool (no wife present).  

Margaret, unmarried, lives in Liscard with her mother and sister. No marriage has been found for either of his parents. They had three children; Arthur had two younger brothers, Donald Archibald and Ernest Sibbald.

On the 1901 Census, Arthur is shown as aged 7 and living with his parents and his siblings at 114 Jubilee Drive, Liverpool. His father, Archibald, is a 49 year old retired grocer, born in Donegal, Ireland whilst his mother Margaret Stopforth is 39 years of age and was born in Liverpool. Arthur's siblings are shown as; 11 year old Florence, 5 year old Donald and 2 year old Ernest. The family employ a domestic servant, 19 year old Florence Tindale. 

At the time of the 1911 Census Arthur is 18 and working as an insurance clerk and is living at 53 Holland Street, Fairfield, Liverpool with his parents and siblings. His father is now recorded as being 62 years of age, a retired provisions merchant born in Doneghal, Ireland, whilst his mother is 49 years of age. They state that they have been married for 22 years and have had four children, all of whom have survived. His sister Florence is 21 and is shown as an elementary school teacher, Donald A. is a 15 year old student whilst Ernest Sibbald is 12 years of age and at school.

Arthur enlisted on the 31st August 1914 at St George's Hall, Liverpool, joining the 17th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 16057. He gave his age as 21 years and 150 days and his occupation as a clerk. He was five feet seven and one eight inches tall, weighed 140lbs, fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

24.5.15: At Grantham: Absent from 8.00am 24/5/15-2.40pm 25/5/15. Admonished and forfeit two days pay.

28.7.15: At Grantham: Absent from midnight 23/7/15-8.45pm 28/7/15. Five days confined to barracks and forfeits five days pay.

01.10.15: At Salisbury: Absent from midnight 26/9/15-11.10am 1/10/15. Seven days detention and forfeit five days pay.

29.12.15: At Salisbury: Rusty bayonet on guard. Three days confined to barracks and three extra guards.

07.11.15: Embarked for France with his battalion.

10.2.16: At Salisbury: Improperly dressed for ration party. Three days confined to barracks.

He was serving in the 17th Battalion (14th Platoon, "D" Company), when he was killed in action on the 30th July 1916, aged 23, at the village of Guillemont, France, during the Somme Offensive.

17th Battalion Diary 

The Battalion was in support to 19 & 20 Battalions K.L.R. 2 Coys. behind 19th & 2 Coys. behind 20th. Very thick mist. The attack was pushed home to the objective in places but in the main was held up by machine gun fire from hidden machine guns.

Fighting continued all day swaying backwards and forwards until by 6pm about 300 yards in depth had been gained & consolidated all along our front.

Casualties in the 17th Battalion were 15 Officers and 281 Other Ranks

Further details are reported in more detailed by Everard Wyrall in his book The History of the King’s Regiment (Liverpool) 1914-1919 Volume II 1916-1917

The 17th King’s had advanced (two companies each behind the 19th and 20th Battalions) in small columns. They too suffered heavily from machine-gun fire and were quickly absorbed into the waves that preceded them. They also shared the gains and losses of that terrible day.

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55th Division during the early hours of the 31st July. 

The events of 30th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.    

Arthur was reported Missing in the Liverpool Evening Express of 6th September 1916

Private Arthur Elliott of the K.L.R. (known to his comrades as "Yox"), has been unofficially reported as missing. Information regarding him is anxiously sought by his parents Mr and Mrs Elliott, 1 Carlton Terrace, Milton Road, Liverpool.

Private Arthur Elliott of the K.L.R., is now officially reported missing. His home is at 1 Carlton Terrace, Milton Road, Liverpool. 

Arthur's death was later presumed for official purposes as having occurred on or since 30th July 1916.

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.” 

His outstanding Army pay and a War Gratuity of £8-10s went to his mother.  No pension card has been found, suggesting that his parents did not apply for a pension.

Soldiers effects to his mother Margaret Stopforth Elliott.

The family was to suffer further grief when Arthur's younger brother Ernest Sibbald Elliott was killed in action on 06th April 1918, aged 19, whilst serving with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers as Private 70550. He now rests at Martinsart British Cemetery on the Somme.

His father died, aged 71, on the 02nd June 1919.  

Probate:- 

ELLIOTT Archibald McDowell of 1 Carlton Terrace, Milton Road, Edge Lane Liverpool gentleman died 2 June 1919 Probate Liverpool 14 August to the Public Trustee. Effects £1922 3s 1d. 

His mother died in 1926, aged 64.

His other younger brother Private 12964 Donald Archibald Elliott was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving as a machine gunner with the Scots Guards. He survived the war but was tragically killed during a bombing raid on Liverpool in April 1941 when serving as a firewatcher aged 44. 

Donald's mother-in-law, Ada Bostock, was also killed in an air raid a week later during the May Blitz.

We currently have no further information on Arthur Elliott, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.