ELLIOTT, Frederick

Frederick Elliott was born at West Hartlepool and moved to Stourbridge. He lived at 4 Copenhagen Terrace, Church Street, and was married with six children. The youngest was only seven weeks old when he died. He volunteered in 1914 and chose to enlist in the Worcesters as a regular. He was posted to the 1st Battalion and probably joined them in Artois early in 1915. Sir John French decided to use this area for his first attack of the 1915 campaigning season at Neuve Chapelle. The Worcesters were in the second line for the attack of 10 March. A and D companies attacked gallantly across the open ground but sustained heavy casualties in the face of German fire. During the night the Germans brought up reinforcements including the 21st Bavarian Reserve Regiment. In the misty dawn the Worcesters faced the charge of fresh troops with some anxiety but at the crucial moment a 'mad minute' of accurate rifle fire broke the charge. They then counter-attacked and drove the Bavarians back to their trenches. However, further counter-attacks left the Worcesters exposed and they had to cross the open ground to return to their lines. It was a gallant battle for the Regiment and the Bavarians had lost over a thousand men, but the cost to the Worcesters was severe. By the 16th March only 7 officers and 450 men remained out of 26 officers and 820 men. Among the casualties was Private Frederick Elliott who was killed on the 15th March. He was 32 years of age and is commemorated on the Le Touret, Stourbridge and St. John's church Memorials.