Private John Elliott

 

John Elliott was born on 21 December 1894 at Drumderg, near Letterbreen, County Fermanagh, the seventh of ten children of farmer John Elliott and his wife Rachel (née Miller). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Tullyholving, Ross, County Fermanagh, at the home of grocery and spirit manager John Kelly, for whom he worked as an apprentice.

Elliott enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron on 22 October 1914 (records incorrectly state 22 September) 1914 (No. UD/82). On 6 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps. In August-September 1917 the Regiment was disbanded and its men, following training at the 36th (Ulster) Division Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Elliott, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt. Elliott was issued regimental number 41175.

Elliott was wounded in the left forearm on 22 or 23 November 1917 in the fighting for the village of Moeuvres during the Battle of Cambrai. Evacuated to the UK for treatment, on 11 December 1918 he was discharged from the army, 'being no longer physically fit for war service' (paragraph 392(xvi), King's Regulations). He was granted a pension due to his wounds, his level of disability assessed at 50 per cent in April 1921.

After the war Elliott lived at Drumderg, 9 Market Street, Enniskillen, and 41 Newry Street Banbridge.

 

This page last updated 21 February 2023.