Robert William Elliott

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher. Photo source: Grave Concerns, FindaGrave.com

Robert William Elliott was born on the 19th of January 1918, in the Poole registration district, Dorset, the son of Thomas & Frances Elliott (née Milbourne), who had married in the Parish Church on the Parish of Hamworthy, Dorset on the 11th of April 1914. Thomas Elliott, 22, a bachelor and Railway Porter of Hamworthy, whose father, Thomas Elliott was a Carter, married Frances Milbourne, 22 and a spinster of Hamworthy, whose father, William Milbourne, was a Railway Signalman.

We see them for the first time on the 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, where they are living at 2, Station Road, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset. Thomas Elliott was head of the household, born in Wimbourne, Dorset and worked as a Signalman for the London & South Western Railway Company at Hamworthy Junction Station. Frances Elliott, had been born in Ringwood, Hampshire and she was doing Home Duties. Robert William Elliott, 3 years and 5 months old had been born in Hamworthy, Dorset. They had a visitor, Gertrude E. Milbourne, on the day of the census. She was possibly Frances' sister and she worked as a General Domestic Servant.

The next time we see Robert William and his family is on the 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939. Thomas Elliott was head of the household and was now working as a Railway Station Foreman. Frances Elliott was doing Unpaid Domestic Duties. Thomas and Frances now had four children. Robert W. Elliott was working as a Lorry Driver, Thomas G. Elliott, born on the 20th of August 1921 was a Butcher’s Assistant and Harry G. Elliott, born on the 12th of January 1908 was a Cordite Worker, RNCF (Royal Naval Cordite Factory). One record has been redacted so we cannot tell who the fourth child was.

Thomas and Frances would suffer the loss of two of their children in the Second World War. Thomas George Elliott was accidentally killed on the 23rd of June 1941. He was a Driver in the Royal Army Signal Corps (Regimental number 2597985). His death certificate states that he died because of injuries caused by being thrown out of an army truck when on army manoeuvres.

Robert and his family must have been devastated. Sadly, I have no other information on Robert, neither his early or teen years, but he was to find himself fighting in the Battle of Normandy and gave his life for our freedom. A few days before D-Day the battalion would suffer a tragic accident whilst training on Dymchurch beach, Kent. They were being trained to light the fuse on anti-tank grenades but an explosion happened and 22 soldiers were tragically killed.

The 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry landed in Normandy two weeks after D-Day and was involved in the fighting around Hill 112 and the Odon valley in July 1944. The British Army Casualty List tells us that Robert was wounded but the date was not recorded. He was evacuated back to the UK and taken to the Royal United Hospital, Bath where he died of his wounds on the 29th July 1944.

Robert was taken to be buried in the family plot in Hamworthy (St Michael) Churchyard, Poole alongside his brother and parents.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Robert Elliott. If you are aware of one, or you are related to Robert, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.