Frederick John Elliott

Frederick John Elliott, 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) enlisted in the Army Special Reserve, special reserve on 22 April 1908. He was 5 feet 4 inches in height. On 23 July 1908 he transferred to the regular army and joined the 2nd Battalion on 30 July. On 7 October 1909 he was posted to 1st Battalion in India. He was given 10 days detention on 12 January 1910. He returned to England with the battalion on the outbreak of war and after refitting and reorganization, the battalion landed in France on 4 November 1914. After a difficult, cold winter, the battalion took part in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. The British lacked artillery shells but despite this the attack went ahead. At 5 am, the Germans suddenly shelled battalion HQ and advanced in overwhelming numbers. The battalion inflicted heavy losses on the enemy but had to retire to the support trench some 150 yards to the rear. The enemy were thrown into disarray by the accurate fire of the battalion and also the heroics of company bomber (grenades) Private Jacob Rivers (Jacob would died later that day and was awarded the Victoria Cross). The battalion regained its front line trenches by a series of charges. By 7 am the battalion was once again in possession of its former line. At 3pm casualties occurred from the British Artillery shells falling short and at 9 pm, the battalion was withdrawn to the support trench which became the new defensive line. At some point Frederick was killed. John Morse

Le Touret Memorial Panels 26 7 27 On Frederick's enlistment his mother Ada was living at 6 Lambert Street Hyson Green Nottingham. His brother Albert also served with the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regimen).