Elliott, William Robert (William)
Private
No. 8252, 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Killed in action on Wednesday 26 August 1914 (aged 32)
Buried:
Honnechy British Cemetery, France (Wambaix German Cem. Mem. 2)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Holywood and District War Memorial
Holywood Orange Lodges Memorial Plaque
Holywood Parish Church of Ireland Church (St Philip & St James)
Brother of Sergeant Francis James Elliott Croix de Guerre (No. 3/8725)
Brother of Lance Corporal Joshua Elliott (No. 17602)
BIOGRAPHY
William Robert Elliott was born on 12 September 1881 in the townland of Craigavad, and he was the eldest son of Joshua and Mary Elliott (nee McConnell) who were married on 3 December 1880 in Derriaghy Church of Ireland Church Lisburn.
The Elliott family lived in Craigavad, Ballygrainey and at 12 Sullivan Street, Holywood.
Joshua Elliott Senior worked as a labourer and railway ganger and he and Mary had at least ten children including:
William Robert (born 12 September 1881 at Craigavad)
Ann Jane (born 10 April 1883 at Craigavad)
Elizabeth Mary (Minnie, born 23 January 1885 at Craigavad)
Joshua (born 29 March 1887 at Ballygrainey)
Francis James (Frank, born 14 April 1889 at Ballygrainey)
Sarah (Sadie, born 20 June 1891 at Ballygrainey)
Alice (born 26 April 1894 at Ballygrainey)
John (born 10 July 1897 at Ballygrainey)
William Robert was the first of the three Elliott brothers to die, then Joshua and then Francis. At the unveiling of Holywood and District War Memorial on 28 January 1922 their mother, Mary Elliott, laid a wreath on behalf of the residents of Holywood.
William Robert Elliott worked as an agricultural labourer before he enlisted. He was a Reservist and at the outbreak of the Great War he was recalled to the colours. He served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 12th Brigade of the 4th Division and he was 32 when he was killed on 26 August 1914 during the retreat from Mons.
Private William Robert Elliott was buried in Honnechy British Cemetery, France and he is commemorated on Holywood and District War Memorial; on the Holywood Orange Lodges Memorial Plaque, and on the Memorial Plaque in Holywood Parish Church of Ireland Church (St Philip & St James).