1036 Sergeant William Ewart Elliott MM
by Robert Simpson
William Ewart Elliott was born about 1892 in Port Melbourne, Victoria. He was a son to William Ewart Elliott and Catherine Saultry, who had married on 13th November 1891 in the Melbourne Registry Office. They had two other children, Jessie Catherine in 1894 and Kate Elizabeth in 1897. No other records can be found for his father, and with his mother, there is only a death record for her in 1930 in Melbourne. The following article in the Mercury and Weekly Courier (Vic.: 1878 – 1903) on Friday 23rd September 1898 on Page 2 may give some clue as to what happened to the family; “William Ewart Elliott is charged, on warrant, with deserting his wife, Kate Elliott, High-street, Preston, at North Fitzroy, on the 17th December last. Description :- Cook, 27 years of age, 5 feet 7 inches high, stout build, fair complexion, dark hair, dark moustache only, has a large scar on top of head; generally wears black clothes and a black boxer hat.” Where he went is not known.
On 17th May 1913, William married Elizabeth Eleanor Llewelyn in Collingwood, Melbourne. Elizabeth, known as Nell (born in 1890 in East Malvern) was a daughter to Rees David Llewelyn and Alice Eliza Wood who had been married in 1888 in Victoria. Rees was from Wales, born in 1858 and he died in 1896 in Bendigo, Victoria. He built two shops in East Malvern on Dandenong Road and he lost them in the bank failures in the 1890’s depression, just before he died. His wife Alice came from a well-known Ballarat family. Her father Thomas Wood was the city surveyor. He arrived in the goldfields from Lancashire with his wife, who came from the Hebden family, Yorkshire gentry. William and Nell had a son, Leslie Llewelyn Elliott, born on 6th January 1914 in Victoria. The 1937 roll shows him to be a student, living at 112 Grey Street. Leslie married Irene Ann Rooke on 14th February 1942. They were crossed off the 1949 roll at Bannockburn, where they had been living at the Vicarage, Inverleigh, where he was vicar of St Paul’s church. They had two sons. In the 1958 electoral roll, they were living at St. Silas Vicarage in in Madden Street, Albert Park, where he was vicar. In the 1980 roll, they were living at 18 Nicholson Street, South Yarra, and he was a retired Anglican priest. He passed away on 23rd December 1980 in Frankston.
William Ewart Elliott enlisted in the 8th Battalion AIF as Private 1036 on 12th September 1914 in Melbourne. He stated he was a British subject, born in Port Melbourne, aged 22 2/12 years, was a commercial traveller, had not been an apprentice and was married. His next of kin was his wife, Mrs E E Elliott of 112 Grey Street East Melbourne. He had not been convicted or dismissed from an armed force. William had been a Commercial Traveller with Stott and Hoare for eight years. He had served 5 years as a Petty Officer in the Naval Cadets. His attestation form has a date of 9th September signed by William and the officers, but for some reason it was changed to the 12th. His description was he was 22 years and 2 months old, was 5 foot 8 inches tall, weighed 10 stone 10 pounds, had a chest measurement of 33½ to 35 inches and had a sallow complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. His religion was Church of England. He had been vaccinated in his infancy, had a scar between his little and next finger on the left hand and a scar on his left groin. He was passed fit with his medical exam on the 9th and was appointed to C Company 8th Battalion on 9th September 1914 at Broadmeadows by the Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel W K Bolton. They embarked at Port Melbourne on 18th October 1914 on the A24 Benalla, reaching Egypt, where they disembarked on 8th December 1914.
He embarked on the Clan McGilvray on 5th April 1915 to join the MEF for the Gallipoli Campaign and took part on the lading on 25th April 1914. In May 1915, they embarked for Cape Helles to help in the attack on Krithia. Very little ground was taken in the attack, at the cost of a lot of casualties. While there, on the night of the 8th May he was wounded “while carrying water to the firing line. Later he, with two others, attempted to bury two dead comrades then in the fire trench. The two men assisting him were wounded. He attended to them, and then completed the burial.” They arrived back at Anzac on 17th May. William was promoted to Sergeant on 12th May 1915. He was wounded on 11th June 1915 at ANZAC on the Gallipoli peninsula, receiving a bullet at Steele’s Post to the right eye and face and was admitted to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station with a “B. W. Rt eye & face”. He was transferred on the same day to a hospital ship. The History of the 8th Battalion – Cobbers in Khaki – on page 85had the following: “On the evening of June 10th, the battalion trudged up to Steele’s Post where it took over from the 1st Battalion. To relieve the boredom of trench life, marksmen of both sides would ‘mark’ their opponent’s shots, as though they were carrying out a friendly shoot on a rifle range. When one of the Turkish snipers managed to put three bullets through the periscope glass as a reminder that the game was real, Percy Lay readily conceded that ‘It was certain death to put your head over the parapet.’ Sergeant Bill Elliott, who was later awarded a Military Medal for his heroism at Cape Helles, fell victim to an enemy sniper and lost the sight of his right eye.” He went on either HS Soudan or Sicilia to Malta, arriving there on 20th June with “Eyes”. Another entry says he was transported on Carisbrook Castle to England with a serious gunshot wound to the right eye on 26th August. He was admitted to 4th London General Hospital with eye trouble on 24th June 1915. Another entry says he was admitted to King George’s Hospital in London on 2nd September 1915, then on 21st September to Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Hartfield Middlesex in England with loss of right eye. He was mentioned for having performed various acts of gallantry at Gallipoli from 6th May to 28th June 1915 in Divisional Orders. On 24th November 1915, he was placed on the supernumerary list of the 8th Battalion at Anzac. He was taken on strength of a Base at Weymouth in England on 11th March 1917. His next of kin was notified of his wounding in “Eyes” on 9th August 1915 and that he had been sent to England on 21st November 1915 and again on 24th December 1915.
A form titled Descriptive Return of a Soldier discharged on account of Disability was filled out for 1036 Sergeant William Ewart Elliott of 8th Battalion Australian Expeditionary Force on 12th February 1917. It noted he was born in Melbourne, his intended address was 112 Grey Street East Melbourne, his height on discharge was 5 foot 9½ inches, and he had brown hair, a blue eye and a fresh complexion. Descriptive marks noted the loss of right eye and his figure on discharge was thin with wound scars on his neck. His parents Christian names were William Ewart and Catherine and his wife’s maiden name was Elizabeth Eleanor Llewelyn. They were married in East Melbourne in May 1912 (according to that record). Their child was Leslie Llewelyn, and William desired to be a traveller for his civil employment. Another form stated his qualification for employment in civil life was “Traveller in Office Systems etc., Book Keeping – & typewriting.” His last employer was Stott and Hoare, 426 Collins St Melbourne and he had been there for 8 years. The nature of the employment he desired was “light work, when fit”. He had no Approved Society that was applicable. William recorded that after being wounded, he was attached to the Australian Red Cross as QMS Issuer. He also signed that form on the 12th.
He was marched in to No. 2 Commonwealth Depot at Weymouth “ex furlo” on 23rd April 1917. William was returned to Australia on HT Miltiades for change with a gunshot wound and debility at Devonport on 4th May 1917.
Base Records sent a letter to Mrs E E Elliot of Grey Street East Melbourne on 25th April 1917, advising her “I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Second Supplement No. 29794 to the London Gazette of 20th October 1916, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your husband, No. 1036, Sergeant W. E. Elliott, 8th Battalion.” He had been awarded the Military Medal. “HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned non-commissioned officer: – No. 1036 Sergeant WILLIAM EWART ELLIOTT.”
He was discharged in the 3rd Military District on 3rd August 1917. He received his Military Medal, which had been sent to AIF Headquarters in London, on 25th September 1918.
On 28th February 1918, the Silver War Badge and certificate A.13677 was sent to William, c/o The Bar Lock Typewriter Company Ltd of 27 Dean Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne “in respect of military service as Sergeant No.1036. 8th Battalion A.I.F.” He signed for them on 1st March and the form was received back on 4th March at Records, Administrative Headquarters AIF 130 Horseferry Road London. He was presented with his Military Medal by the Governor-General on the steps of Federal Parliament House in Melbourne on 5th July 1918.
There are some records for a W E Elliott, born in 1892 in Melbourne, being on commercial ships as a crewmember, but it must be someone else, as one trip was in late 1915 and the other in 1918.
The electoral rolls for Elizabeth (Nell) are a bit confusing. In 1914 and 1915, she is living at 112 Grey Street, East Melbourne with Alice Annie (her mother?), both doing home duties. In the 1916 roll, she is listed under Elliott, at the same address, also with William, who is listed as a traveller. The 1919 roll shows Nell under the surname Llewelyn with her mother Alice and with her brother Ernest Rees Llewelyn (a tailor) and his wife Ruby Emily (home duties). In 1922, her surname is listed as Elliott, still at 112 Grey Street, but no William. The 1927 roll has her by herself at the same address and she was a tailoress. For a change, in the 1928 roll, she was living at Lumesh High Street Glen Iris in Victoria as a housekeeper. By the 1931 roll, she had moved back to 112 Grey Street, but was now married to George Philip Wangman (born 1889 in Reedy Creek, Victoria). They married in 1927 according to the Victoria marriage register. He was a labourer and she was doing home duties. George served in WW1 as Private 5776 with the 5th Battalion, enlisting on 11th February 1916. On the nominal roll, he was a single 26 year old baker of 1 Cunningham Street Northcote. His religion was Church of England. He embarked on 4th April 1916 on HMAT Euripides A14. For some reason, his service records do not appear on the National Archives Australia site. On the nominal roll, he returned to Australia as a Private in the 58th Battalion on 15th May 1919. They were still at the same address and with the same occupations in the 1943 roll. George passed away on 27th May 1957 in Melbourne and is buried in Melbourne General Cemetery in Carlton. Elizabeth had moved to Flat 11, 100 Hotham Street in Melbourne by the 1968 roll and was still there in the 1972 roll. She passed away on 22nd March 1974 in Glenhuntly. The transcription of the family headstone reads “Pray for the souls of George Phillip WANGMAN 1889 to 1957 his wife Elizabeth Eleanor WANGMAN 1890 – 1974 her son Rev. Leslie Llewelyn Elliot 1914 – 1980.” Leslie’s wife Irene Ann is also buried there. See the photo of the grave below.
Some of the confusion with Elizabeth (Nell) in the electoral rolls could be due to the fact that in 1919 she divorced William, as the petitioner in divorce suit No. 383 of that year. William was the respondent. It is not known for what reason as only the index is available to view. The Argus of Melbourne on Tuesday 14th September 1920, on page 9, had under the heading “DIVORCE COURT. Elizabeth Eleanor Elliott (29), of Grey street, East Melbourne, asked for divorce from Wm. Ewart Elliott (27), commercial traveller and soldier on the grounds of desertion and misconduct with Dorothy Williams. The marriage took place in May, 1913, and there is one child. A decree nisi was granted, with costs, petitioner being given the custody of the child. Mr. Manchester appeared in support of the petition.” Sometime after that, William must have moved to South Australia, where on 16th December 1920, he married Dorothy Alice Williams, a spinster aged 28, in the suburb of St Peters, a part of Norwood in South Australia. His marital status was recorded as divorced or deserter for 7 years. They had a daughter, whose name is possibly Dorothy J Elliott, born in 1924. They may have travelled to England in 1925 (except William). The 1939 electoral roll in South Australia has an entry for a Dorothy Alice Elliott at 23 Aroona Rd Kilkenny, Port Adelaide, doing home duties. The same details are in the 1943 roll. After that, records appear in South Australia and Western Australia for that name in similar years for Dorothy Alice Elliott, so it is not possible to confirm what happened to her or their daughter.
A folder prepared for him after the war listed his full details and service details, it showed he was married and had a dependant wife and 1 child. His physical condition at the time of discharge showed he had a gunshot wound to the face and neck and the loss of his right eye with incapacity total. He was being paid a pension, which increased at some time. It showed an employment application had been lodged in April 1920.
William signed for his 1914-15 Star on 18th May 1920 at Victoria Barracks. On 1st July 1920, his pension payments were increased. He received treatment under Dr Mackay from 25th to 29th May 1920, but it was not stated what for. In January 1921, an artificial eye maker wrote to Repatriation Department detailing they could make an artificial eye for William and the cost of that. An order form was sent to William in late 1921, for him to sign and forward to the business. He applied for a transfer of his payment of his War Pension to Adelaide in August 1921. Various correspondence was sent between the Repatriation Departments in Melbourne and Adelaide concerning this in 1921. On 1st August 1923, William signed for his Victory Medal and the form was received back at Base Records on the 8th. It had previously been returned on 10th May 1923. For some reason, his Victory Medal was returned to Office on 20th February 1942. His British War Medal was issued, but there is no date or form signed to acknowledge he received it in his service records. William underwent an operation in 1927 at Parkwynd Private Hospital.
The News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 – 1954) of Wednesday 11th January 1928 on page 2 had the following article: “CARS COLLIDE: Claim and Counterclaim William Ewart Elliott, departmental manager of Chartres Limited, Grenfell street, Adelaide, claimed £10 damages, before Judge Paine in Adelaide Local Court today, from Bernard McMahon, of the State Engineer’s branch of the Postal Department. The claim arose out of a collision in Franklin street, Adelaide, on March 2. 1927, between the motor car of plaintiff and that of defendant. Plaintiff alleged negligence, and defendant pleaded not guilty and not indebted. He alleged negligence on the part of plaintiff, or, in the alternative, that any damage done was unavoidable. He counterclaimed £10 damages. Mr. E. J. C. Hogan appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. J. L. Travers for defendant. The case is proceeding.” The same newspaper had another article on Thursday 12th January 1928 on Page 12 under “IN THE COURTS. ADELAIDE: Wednesday. January 11.
(Before Mr.: L. H. Haslara, S.M.)
William Ewart Elliott, departmental manager, care of Chartres Limited, Grenfell street, Adelaide, claimed £19 damages from Bernard McMahon, care of the State Engineer’s branch, General Post Office, Adelaide, arising out of a collision between his motor car and that of the defendant, at Franklin street. Adelaide, on March 2. 1927. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant had so carelessly and negligently driven and managed his car on that occasion that it collided with his (plaintiff’s) car, causing damage to the car. The defendant pleaded never indebted and not guilty. He alleged that the accident was caused by the sole negligence of the plaintiff, or, in the alternative the alleged damage, if any, was caused by unavoidable accident. He counter-claimed £19 damages from the plaintiff. Mr. K. J. C. Hogan appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. J. L. Travers for the defendant. A verdict was given for the plaintiff for £10 12/. on the claim, also for the plaintiff on the counter-claim. (Before Judge Paine.)”
William seemed to be a serial offender, as recorded in the News on Thursday 31st October 1929 on page 16: “Stationary Motor Cars The following breaches of the corporation bylaws were dealt with in Adelaide Traffic Court this morning:- Motor Vehicle Stationary for More Than 30 Minutes.-Henry James Eckhold (Currie street September 6), Anthony Francis Johnson (King William street, August 14), William Ewart Elliott (Grenfell street, September 10), Claude Arnold Virgo (King William street, August 14), each £2 19/6; Reginald Norman Jones (McHenry street, August 29), £2 9/. Neglected to Obey Traffic Signal to Stop.-. Stefor Fundak (North terrace, July 25), £1. Mr. W. Hall, S.M., was on the Bench, and 16/. Mr. E. B. Cox prosecuted.” He is also recorded for the same offence on 30th November 1928, 7th March 1929, 16th May 1929 and 26th September 1929 and he was fined various fees for doing so. Most times his address was noted as Grenfell Street, but in March 1929 it was listed as Rundle Street. 29 Grenfell Street Adelaide was the address of the business he was employed.
Base Records sent the Department of Repatriation documents relative to the service of William in the AIF on 11th December 1933.
William passed away on 9th September 1934 in Malvern, Adelaide and was buried on 11th September in West Terrace Cemetery Adelaide. His death and funeral notices appeared in the Adelaide News on Monday 10 September 1934 on page 2 as “ELLIOTT. – On September 9 (suddenly), at his residence, 59 Sheffield street, Malvern. William Ewart Elliott, M.M., dearly beloved husband of Dorothy Elliott and loving father of Leslie and June, late of Chartres Ltd. And 8th Battalion, A.I.F. Aged 42 years.” and “ELLIOTT.- The Friends of the late Mr WILLIAM EWART ELLIOTT, M.M., late of Chartres Ltd. And 8th Battalion A.I.F., are respectfully informed that his Funeral will Leave his late Residence, 59 Sheffield street, Malvern, on TUESDAY at 4 p.m. for the A.I.F. Cemetery, West terrace. ALFRED JAMES & SON, Undertakers. Phone U 1050 193 Unley rd., Unley.” The burial was on 11th September 1934. He is buried in the Light Oval section of the West Terrace AIF Cemetery. The cemetery is only for the use of those who served in WW1 and is now closed.
West Terrace AIF Cemetery
On 4th February 1936, a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Repatriation in Adelaide referred to Leslie L Elliott born 6th January 1914, a son of William E Elliott ex 1036 Sergeant 8th Battalion (deceased) and a summary of the case was attached. A letter was included that was addressed to Mr L L Elliott of 112 Grey Street East Melbourne, stating that his enquiry regarding assistance under the Soldiers’ Children Education Scheme, the tribunal had declined his father’s death as war related and that he was not eligible for the scheme. They sent a form for him to submit an application to the Trustees of the Sir Samuel McCaughey Bequest. Also in the file are various letters between departments discussing this matter. Included are references from different businesses for Leslie. Myer Emporium in Melbourne had written a reference on 25th February 1935, showing Leslie had been “employed on our temporary staff from 2nd December 1930 to 2nd March 1931 as a junior in the Despatch Department. He proved thoroughly satisfactory in every way, and resigned of his own accord. He was also employed temporarily in our Crockery Despatch from 22nd to 26th January 1935, and his services were again entirely satisfactory.” M G Manchester, Barrister and Solicitor also wrote that Leslie was employed by him “as a Law Clerk for a considerable period and in my opinion was not only intellectually brilliant but also he was industrious, honest and reliable and throughout showed a keen desire to improve his position…” A letter from the Principal of the Richmond Technical School showed he was there from February 1926 to December 1928, stated his exam results and said this “youth had an outstanding school record in the Day Junior School and was awarded the Richmond Citizen’s Scholarship for the Senior School, but owing to family circumstances had to seek employment – Clerical with the Stafford Shoe Co. Elliott is a youth of strong personality and character.” Other handwritten references spoke about him in glowing terms. His Vicar spoke of him as a “born leader.” Leslie also wrote a timeline, outlining his school and employment times. He was a boarder in School House, Melbourne Grammar School, from 1930 to 1933. Leslie had applied “for assistance for a medical course at the Melbourne University.” An appeal was lodged in February 1935.
The National Library of Australia has a file on Leslie, titled “Biographical cuttings on Reverend Leslie Llewellyn Elliott, Anglican vicar, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals”.
Leslie is listed as a student in the 1937 electoral roll at 112 Grey Street. He studied for the Anglican ministry at Ridley College, Carlton, in 1937 and 1938. He was ordained by Archbishop Fredrick Waldegrave Head in St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne, deacon in 1939 and priest in 1940. He was appointed curate of St Stephen’s Church Richmond and then he became a Merchant Navy Chaplain in the Missions to Seamen at Port Melbourne in 1941. In 1942 he married Irene Ann Rooke in St Peter’s Chapel, Melbourne Grammar School. Irene, known as June, had been born on 18th May 1911 in Talbot. Her father of British stock, John Rooke, ran a coaching business. Her mother Ida Duschke came from a Wendish German farming family in the Wimmera.
In the 1949 electoral roll, Leslie and Irene had been crossed off the Bannockburn roll, having moved to North Fitzroy, where Leslie was vicar of St Luke’s church. They had been living at the Vicarage, Inverleigh, when Leslie was the vicar of St Paul’s church.
In 1954 they were living at the Vicarage, 89 Alfred Crescent, North Fitzroy. In October of that year they went to England with their two sons, Peter John (born 1st October 1943) and Paul David (born 4th January 1950). Leslie was organizing an international trade fair to raise money for the Missions to Seamen. Apart from some weeks travelling in Europe, they lived in Belsize Park, London, and returned to Australia in June 1955. Later that year the international trade fair was held in the Exhibition Buildings, Carlton. In 1957, Leslie was appointed vicar of St Silas Church, Albert Park, and in the 1958 electoral roll, they were living in the Vicarage, Madden Street, Albert Park. According to a book titled Anglicans and the Roman Catholic Church: Reflections on Recent Developments, Leslie was the President of the Australian Church Union from 1958 to 1961 and was a leading Anglo-Catholic. In 1970 he was appointed vicar of St Agnes Church, Glenhuntly and in the 1977 electoral roll, they were living at the Vicarage 116 Booran Road, Glenhuntly. By the 1980 roll, they were living at 18 Nicholson Street, South Yarra, and Leslie was a retired Anglican priest. He passed away on 23rd December 1980 in Frankston. Probate was granted on 26th March 1981 and he was listed as a Clerk in Holy Orders.
Peter followed his father’s footsteps. After initially studying to be an Anglican priest, he became a Catholic in 1968, while at Oxford. He entered Corpus Christi Seminary Glen Waverley in 1970 and was ordained a priest in 1973. After parish ministry and a doctorate in Rome, in 1987 he was appointed to the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Family. He returned to Melbourne in 1997 to assist Archbishop George Pell as Episcopal Vicar for Religious Education and Archbishop Denis Hart as Director of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him a bishop and he was consecrated in June 2007. He is the Auxiliary Bishop for the Southern Region of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.
Paul took up Leslie’s youthful interest in the Law. After studies at Melbourne Grammar School, he studied Law at the University of Melbourne, in Trinity College, and he was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 1973. He went on to undertake postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics. Paul then lectured in International Law at the University of London. Having returned to Australia, he was admitted as a barrister in 1978. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1999. He is still practising. Paul married Dr. Gillian Elliott (nee Evans) in 1978. He has a daughter, Vanessa Ann, born in 1987, and a son, Nicholas Llewelyn, born in 1992. Nicholas was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 2017.
The Wangman/Elliott grave at Melbourne General Cemetery.
William’s medals are Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.
The museum just has his Victory Medal.
ANZAC Biographies
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whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection on display at the
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Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.