Pte 24927 Horace Elliott

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 10th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Horace Elliott was born in the September quarter of 1892 and was one of five children born to Alonzo Elliott and his wife Louisa (nee Wise), and the elder of their two sons. Alonzo, a railway engine driver, and Louisa were originally from Leicestershire, coming to Liverpool in the 1880s. His parents married in the September quarter of 1884, the marriage was registered in Blaby, Leicestershire. Their first child Sarah lizzie died in infancy in the September quarter of 1890.

Horace was baptised at St Mary's Church, Walton on the Hill on 16th November 1892.

Horace enlisted in Liverpool joining the 17^th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 24927.

The 17th Battalion 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. 

On 07^th November 1915 he went to France with his Battalion. 

Horace was another of the many killed at Trones Wood.

The murderous fighting that occurred inside Trones Wood rendered it impossible to put specific dates on some of the casualties which is why many of the 17^th Battalion losses have been bracketed as killed in action between 10^th – 12th July 1916. 

The conditions are best described in the following passage from Everard Wyrall’s book The History of The King’s Regiment (Liverpool) Volume II: 

The remembrance of Trones Wood in July 1916 to those who passed through it is of a noisome, horrible place, of a tangled mass of trees and undergrowth which had been tossed and flung about in frightful confusion by the shells of both sides. Of the ghastly dead which lay about in all directions, and of DEATH, lurking in every hole and corner with greedy hands ready to snatch the lives of the unwary. The place was Death trap, and although the attacks were made with great determination,  the presence of snipers who could not be detected and often fired into the backs of our men made the clearing of the wood impossible.

He was originally posted as Missing which prompted his anxious family to place a request for information in the Bootle Times:

Information concerning the whereabouts of Pte. H. Elliott (24927) K.L.R., who has been reported missing since July 10th, is anxiously sought, and will be very gladly received by his mother and brother, who reside at 42 Olney-street, Walton. 

Horace's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as his name is featured on the Thiepval Memorial.

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.”

Soldiers Effects to father Alonzo, Pension to mother Louisa.

Horace was remembered by his family in the Liverpool Evening Express on 10th July 1917: 

In Memoriam. 

ELLIOTT - In sad but affectionate memory of our dear son, Horace, 1st Pals, killed in action, Battle of Somme, July 10, 1916 in his 24th year.  

Nobly he did his duty 

Bravely he fought and fell, 

But the sorrows of those that mourn him  

Only aching hearts can tell. 

It may be a soldier’s honour  

For his country's cause to fall, 

But we cannot think of the glory  

For the sorrow it has caused us all;  

A sudden charge in a moment fell, 

He had not time to say farewell.  

(Never forgotten by his loving mother and father, 42 Olney Street, Walton.)  

ELLIOTT - In ever loving memory of our dear brother Horace, 1st Pals, killed in action, Battle of Somme, July 10, 1916 in his 24th year. 

Dear Horace, how we have missed you  

No tongue on earth can tell. 

When days are dark and friends are few, 

Dear brother how we long for you.  

(Ever remembered by his loving sisters, brother and brother-in-law, and little niece Doris.) 

Further notices were placed on anniversaries as follows:

Liverpool Evening Express on 09th July 1927: 

Roll of Honour. 

ELLIOTT - In ever loving memory of our son Horace, 1st Liverpool Pals, who made the supreme sacrifice July 10, 1916. 

A distant grave is a touching thing, 

Where loving hands no flowers can bring; 

But God, in His Almighty care,  

Will guard our loved one over there. 

Liverpool Evening Express 10th July 1928 

Roll of Honour. 

ELLIOTT - In ever loving memory of our son Horace, 1st Liverpool Pals, who made the supreme sacrifice July 10, 1916.  

Thy will be done I humbly cry; 

My aching heart will break.  

I deemed him mine, but he is Thine; 

and He who gives can take.  

(Ever remembered by his loving father and mother, sisters and brother, 42 Olney Street, Walton.) 

Horace earned his three medals and is commemorated on the family headstone in Kirkdale Cemetery which carries the inscription. 

MISSING AT THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME, JULY 10TH 1916, AGED 23 YEARS.
"UNTIL THE DAY BREAK, AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY" 

Horace is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 2. 

St Luke's Church in Walton which is adjacent to Goodison Park. 

His father died in the December quarter of 1929, aged 68.

His mother died in the March quarter of 1944, aged 83.

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