3804 Corporal John Winston ELLIOTT DCM
9th Battery, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade AIF
By Robert Simpson
John Winston Elliott was born on 8 November 1893 in Hobart, Tasmania, a son to William Ernest Elliott and Ada Maria Bellette. John was the eldest of four children and the only boy. William and Ada married on 3 June 1893 at the Church of St Barnabas at South Arm Tasmania. William had been born on 20 September 1857 in Hobart, was a civil servant and unfortunately died on 19 January 1910 at 64 Hampden Road, Battery Point, Tasmania. He was buried in Queenborough Cemetery on 22 January. Hannah Mary Elliott was born on 23 May 1896 in Hobart. In the 1919 electoral roll she was living at 152 Melville Street with her mother Ada Marie. Hannah was a cashier and Ada was doing domestic duties. She married Neil Henry Jensen (1896-1971) on 12 December 1921 in Hobart. Hannah passed away on 26 March 1960. Rita Florence Elliott was born on 27 November 1898 in Hobart. She married Edwin Ernest Excell on 10 June 1924 in New Town Tasmania. Rita passed away on 8 April 1979 in Tasmania. Brenda Eliza Elliott was born in 1900 in Hobart. She married Robert Clarke Dreaper (1884-1948) on 27 February 1924 in Tasmania. She passed away on 31 January 1927 in Tasmania. Ada (born 16 December 1860 in Hobart) was still living at 152 Melville St Hobart in the 1928 electoral roll. She passed away on 15 July 1946 in Hobart. His parents’ graves were relocated.
The plaque reads ‘Sacred to the Memory of those who were re-interred at Cornelian Bay from the Queenborough Cemetery 1960 – 1963’. Their names are on the 3rd panel from the left as shown above. Other headstones from the original Queenborough Cemetery have been removed to a dedicated area at Cornelian Bay Cemetery in New Town.
John enlisted on 11 January 1915 at Claremont Tasmania. He was given the service number 3804 and joined the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade. On his attestation paper he stated his full name, that he had been born in Hobart and was a British subject, with his age as 21 and 2/12. John stated he was a clerk, had not been an apprentice nor was he married. His next of kin was listed as Ada Elliott (mother) of 152 Melville Street Hobart; the same address that he was living at. He had no civil convictions, nor had he been dishonourably discharged from any military force. John had served with the AGA for 4½ years and was still serving when he enlisted in the AIF. His terms of service was for the duration of the war and 4 months. He signed the first page Jack Elliott, and also on the next page after taking the oath on the next day. His description on enlistment shows he was 5 foot 7 inches tall, weighed 158 pounds, had a chest measurement of 34 to 36½ inches and had a fair complexion with grey eyes and light brown hair. Church of England was his religious denomination. He was examined medically on 11 January and found fit for service. The Commanding Officer appointed him to the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade on 1 February 1915 (the date the officer wrote).
The 3rd (Army) Brigade AFA embarked from Australia on 29 December 1915 at Melbourne on HMAT Runic A54, as recorded in one entry in his service records, but 2 February 1915 was recorded in his service records as date of embarkation in a few documents. In the embarkation roll, the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd and 3rd Reinforcements embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A54 Runic on 19 February 1915 with John listed as a Corporal. His other details were the same as in his service record, except his enlistment date which was stated as 6 January. He was paid 5 shillings a day.
John joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 30 April 1915 with 2nd Section Divisional Ammunition Column. He was transferred to the Gallipoli Peninsula on 14 July 1915 with 1st Battery. On 6 September 1915 he was transferred to 3rd Field Artillery Brigade and taken on their strength on that day from Divisional Ammunition Column. He was transferred to the 9th Battery on 3 November 1915. The War Diary for the 9th Battery, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade 1st Australian Division at Anzac on 7 November 1915 reads ‘About 1610, several 8.2” shells from N.E. or E. fell near BROWNS DIP & VICTORIA GULLY. One landed in our No. 4 gunpit & exploded 7 rounds of shrapnel & 2 H.E. setting fire to brushwood overhead cover. No one was hit though Lieut. Evans & Gr. Miller were scorched and suffered from shock. Lieut. A.A. Evans & Gnrs. J.W. Elliott & C Faulkner assisted by 3 men of 10th Btn. Inf. put fire out before big magazine exploded, though under shell fire all the time.’ On 18 December 1915 he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for ‘acts of gallantry and devotion to duty’ on the Gallipoli Peninsula. John disembarked from Ulysses from the Gallipoli Peninsula at Alexandria on 18 December 1915.
While on Gallipoli and in Egypt, John took a series of photos. These two have nothing written on the back:
A lot of others do have writing on the back of them.
‘In Alan Pitts’ dugout Anzac. Bob Goyen. Lav White Alan Pitt & gundy.’
On 2 December 1915 a Lieutenant Colonel in the 1st Australian Division wrote to Divisional Artillery stating ‘With reference to the recommendations for immediate recognition of the actions of : – Lieut. Evans, A.A. Gnr. Elliott, J.W. and Gnr. Faulkner G. the Army Corps Commander is prepared to forward the names of Lieut. Evans and two men only – one Gunner from the 9th Battery and one Private from the 10th Bn. Please inform me which of the two Gunners above named you desire to bring forward for immediate recognition.’ A handwritten letter from the Lieutenant General Commanding the A&NZ Army Corps on 6 December to the Australian Army Secretary at Army Headquarters advising him ‘The attached recommendations which I consider worthy of immediate recognition are submitted for consideration. I agree with the recommendations of the Divisional Commander of a Military Cross to Lieut. AA Evans 9th Bty A.I. F. and Distinguished Conduct Medals to Gunner J.W. Elliott 9th Bty A.I.F. and Private GEA. Baker 10th Battn A.I.F.’ The recommendation originally listed 3804 Gunner John Winston Elliott and 3009 Gunner Christopher Faulkner of 9th Battery A.F.A. (with another for the 10th Battalion soldiers) on 7 November 1915 at Anzac; and gave the reason for an award as ‘An enemy 8.2” shell fell and burst in a gun-pit of the 9th Battery, demolishing a portion of the pit, exploding 7 rounds of 18-pdr., and setting fire to the brushwood covering of the pit. This fire threatened the safety of the magazine, containing 300 rounds of 18-pdr., The Officer, (Lieut. Evans) was dazed by the first explosion, but assisted by Gunners Elliott and Faulkner and three Infantrymen beat out the fire. During this time the Detachment were in danger of being blown up by their own magazine and were also likely to be again shelled by the enemy.’ They were both recommended for the DCM (with neither having a previous recommendation), with a note for order of merit stating ‘The above two men are equal in merit and also of equal merit with Ptes 890 Edwards, & 816, Lindop, & 882, Baker, whose names are submitted herewith.’ This was then crossed out and a pencil remark written by Brigadier General H G Chauvel, Commanding 1st Australian Division on 5 December 1915 which stated ‘Gr Elliott J. W. Selected by unit’ and was signed by him. Gunner J W Elliott 9th Battery AIF was recommended for an immediate award in Despatch No 40. A letter sent to Headquarters 1st Australian Division adds ‘The names of Lieut. Evans, Gunner Elliott and Pte. Baker have been forwarded to A.H.Q. with recommendations for immediate recognition.’ It was signed by a Captain DAA&QMG A&NZ Army Corps on 6 December 1915.
At Tel-el-Kebir on 24 February 1916, John was promoted to provisional Bombardier without pay. He proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force, embarking at Alexandria on 23 March 1916 and disembarking at Marseilles on 29 March 1916. On 30 March he was absent without leave and was reprimanded without any forfeiture of pay by the Commanding Officer.
On the back: ‘Members of our happy family bent(?), now nearly all separated. Alan & Self on left of snap. = two Melb. pals. *little Curly Devlyn who has just developed interic (sic).’
‘Lined up for our Irish Stew. Tel-el-Kebir.’
‘My pal “Fluffy” & I at Cleopatra Camp. Egypt. June 1915.’
6-inch Howitzers attached to the 3rd. A. F. A. Brigade
Having our mid-day meal. Our tent. Tel-el-Kebir 14.2.’16
I am not the main figure in this photo, but poked my nose in. This was the morning after the night before; Boxing morn. after our Xmas Day spree. I reckon me look very fresh, don’t you.
Taken inside our hut I am right at the back on the right.
Doc. Bucirde’s cookhouse at Anzac Mate Alb Beard on the right of picture.
Tel-el-Kebir Jany 1916
Some of the boys but a bad snap. Les Ainsworth Bob Conacher Archie Robb Bob Goyen Alb & Sid Beard. Tel-el-Kebir 14.2.’16
Our right section tent lines at Tel-el-Kebir. Allan Pitt & another at the door of our tent. 14.2’16
Another one of our tent group minus Alan Tel-el-Kebir
members of the “Dropouts” tent at Cleopatra Camp. Alex. Egypt. June 1915. Members of the D.A.C.
His service record states that on 14 March 1916 in the London Gazette it was recorded that he was ‘Awarded the D.C.M for conspicuous gallantry on Gallipoli Peninsula on 7th Nov 1915, one of the enemys shells fell in a gun pit and exploded seven rounds of eighteen pounder ammunition & set fire to the brushwood, threatening a magazine containing 300 rounds of eighteen pounder ammunition. Gunner Elliot was one of the small party that beat out the fire, regardless of the danger of being blown up by the explosion of the magazine.’ The Australian War Memorial notes it was recorded in the ‘London Gazette 15 March 1916 on page 2887 at position 1’ and ‘Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 6 July 1916 on page 1500 at position 3’ for Gunner 3804 John Winston Elliott 9th Australian Field Artillery Battery Australian Imperial Force.
The Evening Echo of Ballarat on Thursday 16 March 1916 in page 1 had:
‘DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDALS.
Private G. BAKER (10th Inf., S.A.).; Gunner Elliott (9th Battery, Q.). For the part they played in assisting Lieutenant Evans in extinguishing a fire in an ammunition pit.
(REUTER’S SPECIAL CABLES.)’
His mother was sent a letter from Base Records on 8 July 1916 stating ‘I have much pleasure in forwarding herewith copy of extract from Supplement No. 29508, to the “London Gazette” of 14th March, 1916, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your son, No. 3804, Gunner J.W. Elliott, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade. “HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentioned soldier for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty in the field :- No. 3804 Gunner J.W. Elliott, 9th Battery, Australian Field Artillery- For conspicuous gallantry at Anzac, Gallipoli Peninsula on 7th November, 1915. One of the enemy’s shells fell in a gun-pit, exploded seven rounds of 18-pr. ammunition, and set fire to the brushwood, threatening a magazine containing 300 rounds of 18-pr. ammunition. Gunner Elliott was one of a small party which beat out the fire regardless of the danger of being blown up by the explosion of the magazine.” The above has been promulgated in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. 79, of 6th July, 1916.’
The Examiner of Launceston on Saturday 15 July 1916 in page 8 had:
‘FOR VALOUR A TASMANIAN D.C.M. HOBART, Friday. Private advice has been received that his Majesty the King has approved of the award of a Distinguished Conduct Medal to Gunner J. W. Elliott. 4th Battery, Australian Field Artillery, a son of Mrs. A. Elliott, of Hobart, for conspicuous gallantry at Anzac, Gallipoli Peninsula, on November 7 last. One of the enemy’s shells fell in a gunpit, and exploded seven rounds of 18 pounder ammunition, and set fire to some brushwood, threatening a magazine containing 300 rounds of 18-pounder ammunition. Gunner Elliott was one of the small party which beat out the fire, regardless of the danger of being blown up by the explosion of the magazine. Gunner Elliott was clerk at Jones and Co.’s when he enlisted, and was a member of the Derwent Rowing Club.’
Also, on that day, in the Mercury of Hobart in page 8 was:
‘THE D.C.M.
A TASMANIAN SOLDIER RECEIVES IT.
Mrs. Elliott, of 152 Melville-street, received the following letter yesterday from the Defence Department, Melbourne: “Dear Madam,-I have much pleasure in forwarding herewith copy of extract from Supplement No. 29508, to the “London Gazette,” of 14th March, 1916, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your son, No. 3804, Gunner J. W. Elliott, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade.
“His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentioned soldier for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty on the field.-
“.No. 3804, Gunner J. W. Elliott, 9th Battery Australian Field Artillery.
“For conspicuous gallantly at Anzac, Gallipoli Peninsula, on the 7th November, 1915. One of the enemy’s shells fell in a gun-pit, exploded seven rounds of 18-pr. ammunition, and set fire to the brushwood, threatening a magazine containing 300 rounds of 18-pr. ammunition. Gunner Elliott was one of a small party which beat out the fire regardless of the danger of being blown up by the explosion of the magazine.”
The above has been promulgated in the Commonwealth of Australia “Gazette.” No. 79, of July 6, 1916.
Gunner Elliott was in the clerical department of Messrs Jones and Co. when he enlisted, and was a member of the Derwent Rowing Club.’
John was promoted to Bombardier with 3rd FA in France on 30 April 1916. He was promoted to Temporary Corporal on 18 November 1916 and Corporal on 30 November 1916.
An extract in his service record on 22 January 1917 shows that 3804 Corporal J W Elliott 3rd FAB changed the allotment of 4/6 to 6/- daily from 10 December 1916 to Mrs A M Elliott of 152 Melville Street Hobart.
152 Melville St, Hobart is a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom house with 2 parking spaces and was built in 1893. The property has a land size of 118m2 and floor size of 220m2. While the property is not currently for sale or for rent, it was last sold in Mar 2005.
A letter to the 1st Australian Division Headquarters on 16 March 1917 ‘Reference my 91/284 of 10th, inst. relative to presentation of medals by the Corps Commander at FRICOURT FARM on 17th, inst. the parade for this purpose has been postponed until Sunday, 18th. inst. A Church parade of the 1st. Infantry Brigade will be held at FRICOURT FARM Bde. Camp at 10 a.m. on 18th. inst. at which the Corps Commander will attend. The medals and ribbons will be presented at the conclusion of the Church Parade. The undermentioned officers, warrant and non-commissioned officers who are to receive medals will parade at Divisional Headquarters, FRICOURT FARM, on Sunday 18th. inst. at 0945. The Divisional Commander desires that G.O.C’s, Brigades, or their representatives, attend the parade for the presentation of medals.’ The list included a list of Divisional Artillery awards and included 3804 Gunner J W Elliott for the DCM.
On 23 November 1917 John was promoted to Temporary Sergeant with the 3rd Army Brigade AFA. He went on leave to England on 18 January 1918 and was transferred to hospital on 30 January, as he was sick while he was on leave. He also reverted to Corporal on that day as he was sick.
He was admitted to the 1st A.D.H. Military Hospital at Bulford on 30 January 1918 with gonorrhoea and was discharged from there on 27 March 1918 and marched in to C.T.D. (Convalescent Training Depot). He was 8 days at C.T.D. Parkhouse and was then discharged to unit on 13 April 1918. Another entry on 13 April 1918 had the date 30 January 1918 and ‘gassed 4 months ago’. On 13 April 1918 he was marched in to No 1 Commonwealth Depot and classed as B1A4. In his service record is a stamp ‘New Designation 3rd (Army) Brigade Australian Field Artillery Auth,A.I.F.Order No 709’. He was admitted to the Corp Clearing Hospital on 11 June 1918 with bronchitis and was discharged from there on 17 June, ‘much improved’. An entry on his hospital admission form noted ‘full upper in situ partial lower supplied Dentally fit 8/8/18’. On 20 August 1918 he was marched out of the Depot and marched in to the Overseas Training Brigade. He marched out from there on 20 September 1918 to R.B.A.A. H’bury and then proceeded overseas to France from Southampton on 17 October 1918 as a Corporal. Landing in France on the 18th, he proceeded to his unit the next day. On 21 October 1918 he was admitted to 39th General Hospital with ‘N.Y.D’ (not yet diagnosed) and was discharged to base ‘N.A.D.’ on 6 November. He was marched out from A.G.B.D. to his unit on 10 November, re-joining them on 16 November. On 12 December 1918 he was sent to Base Headquarters 1st Division. From there he was transferred to England on 21 December and marched in to R.B.A.A. at Heytesbury the next day (Class B). On 23 January 1919 he marched out from there and marched in to No 2 Commonwealth Depot. He went AWOL on 5 March 1919 from 1500 to 1700 on 9 March at Littlemoor (a suburb of Weymouth). His award was ‘Dismissed by Lt. Col. D. A. Lane. 18.3.19’.
Corporal 3804 John Winston Elliott DCM 3rd Army Field Artillery Brigade returned to Australia on 1 April 1919 on HT Shropshire and disembarked at the 3rd Military District on 16 May 1919, for 6th Military District. His next of kin was informed he was returning to Australia on 23 April 1919.
Captain Daniel, S.O.I. & R.S. 6th Military District, sent a note to Base Records in Melbourne on 26 August 1919 from Anglesea Barracks Hobart advising them he was sending the medical documents for ‘3804 Cpl. John Winston ELLIOTT, 9th Batty 3rd F. A. B. Ex “Shropshire” 1-6-19 who had been discharged on 12 September 1919, being medically unfit. He was discharged from the 6th Military District.
John married Clarissa Haydon on 23 November 1920 in Victoria. The wedding notice appeared in The Mercury of Tasmania on 8 January 1921, with his name given as Jack. She had been born in Axedale Victoria in 1890. Her parents, Charles Thomas Haydon and Margaret Connor had both been born in Victoria, and she was one of seven children.
The 1922 electoral roll had them living at 54 Newdgate Street in Hobart, with John listed as a clerk and Clarissa doing home duties. By the 1931 roll they had moved to Bonnybrae 12 Taylor Street Buranda in Oxley Queensland with John a company representative. The 1933 Post Office Directory had them living at Sherwood Road Toowong. By the 1934 electoral roll, they had moved back to Bonnybrae 12 Taylor Street Buranda and he still had the same occupation. The 1937 roll had the same details. In the 1938 Post Office Directory it records his address as Sherwood Road Toowong and 12 Taylor Street Woolloongabba.
They had two sons, William Haydon “Don” Elliott, born 24 June 1922 in Hobart and Brian Wilston Elliott, born 3 May 1924 in Tasmania.
On 22 April 1927 his service file was requested and sent to Brisbane.
John has a record, NAA: BP709/1, M44539, at Brisbane which is open but not online. It would be his medical history.
There is a file for his WW2 service under ‘ELLIOTT JOHN WINSTON : Service Number – Q202807 : Date of birth – 08 Nov 1893 : Place of birth – HOBART TAS : Place of enlistment – BRISBANE QLD : Next of Kin – ELLIOTT CLARISSA’, listed under NAA: B884, Q202807 in Canberra but it is ‘Not yet examined’. His WW2 nominal roll shows he enlisted 16 April 1942 at Brisbane. He was living in Buranda at the time. Next of kin was Clarissa Elliott. John was discharged as a Private in 4th Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (Qld), but the date of discharge is not known.
The 1943 electoral roll has them listed as living at Elldon, Wylma Street Holland Park with the same occupations. In the 1949 roll, they have all the same details.
On 1 September 1953, John was in a list of passengers on the SS Strathmore that docked at Freemantle from England. He was in 1st Class and had embarked at Colombo and intended to disembark at Sydney.
The 1954 electoral roll had them listed at the same place and details as does the 1958 roll, but the division and subdivision had changed. By the 1968 roll they had moved to 15 Salerno Street Isle of Capri at Coolangatta and he had no occupation.
15 Salerno Street.
John passed away on 20 December 1968 at the Gold Coast. He has a plaque in Queensland Garden of Remembrance.
Clarissa passed away in Brisbane on 24 December 1978.
William’s birth notice reads: ‘ELLIOTT.- At Alexandra Hospital, on 24th June, the wife of J. W. Elliott, 54 Newdegate-street, N.H., a son (William Haydon).’ He enlisted in WW2 at Atherton and was given the service number QX50348. His father was listed as next of kin. There are two service records for him at National Archies Australia, B883 and A13860, but neither has been examined and are not online yet.
In the 1943 electoral roll William was listed as living with his parents and his occupation was soldier. The 1949 roll has the same details. By the 1954 roll, he was living at 33 Lloyd Street Camp Hill and was a clerk, with Edith Lilah Elliott doing home duties. They still had the same details in the 1958 roll. In the 1963 roll he was still living at the same address but was with Marcia Margaret Elliott, who was doing home duties. All the same details were in the 1968 roll. By the 1972 roll they had moved to 14 Chartwell Street Margate, where William was still a clerk and Marcia was a ‘comptometriste’. The same details were in the 1977 and 1980 rolls. William passed away on 9 January 2014 and is buried in Redcliffe Cemetery in the Rose Garden/Mixed 198. His obituary reads ‘ELLIOTT, William Haydon “Don” Late of Nazarene Aged Care, formerly Margate. Passed away peacefully on Thursday, 9th January, 2014. Aged 91 Years Dearly loved Husband of Marcia. Much loved Father, Father-in-law, Grandfather and Great-grandfather of his Family. Relatives and Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Don’s Life, to be held at the Traditional Funerals Chapel, 17 Anzac Avenue, Redcliffe, Friday, 17th January, 2014, commencing at 11 a. m. .TRADITIONAL FUNERALS Redcliffe (07) 3284 7333 A Local Family Company’.
Brian was listed in the Queensland Police Gazette Index in 1944, but as the record is not available online, it is not known what for. In the 1949 electoral roll, he was living at the same address as his parents and his occupation was fitter and turner. By the 1954 roll, he had moved to 33 Mayneview Street Milton and was a commercial traveller. He was also living with Elsa Johanne Elliott who was doing home duties. They were still there in the 1954 roll. By the 1958 roll, he was still there with the same occupation, but was by himself. In the 1963 roll they were both living at 289 Ellison Road Geebung and he was a salesman. It was all the same details for the 1968, 1972, 1977 and 1980 rolls. Brian passed away on 18 April 2014 in Brisbane.
John’s medals are Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The medal group and caption with photos are now on display in the Gallipoli section of the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum. The acquisition of this medal group for the museum was made possible by the Copland Foundation, for which the museum is sincerely thankful.
Display in museum.
ANZAC Biographies
On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection on display at the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum, Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.