Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Australian World War One veteran Lieutenant John Herbert James Elliss, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 23 September 2023, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

John Herbert James Elliss, who served and was known as Herbert Elliss, was born on 17 March 1878 at Cundletown, Manning River, New South Wales, to George Arthur Elliss and Emma Jane Elliss, née Snowdon.

In 1906, he married Jessie Dark Holmes at Clarence Town, New South Wales, and they welcomed a son, Rowan, in 1908.

On 6 September 1915, Elliss enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Warwick Farm, New South Wales. He was recorded as 35 years of age, married, and working as a grocer. He gave his address as 257 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, and nominated his wife, Jessie Dark Elliss, as his next of kin. His service record later confirmed that he had enlisted under the shortened name Herbert Elliss, and that his full name was John Herbert James Elliss.

Gunner Elliss, service number 10151, embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Berrima on 17 December 1915 with the 2nd Reinforcements of the Field Artillery. After arriving overseas, he served through artillery reinforcement and ammunition-column channels before being posted to the 106th Howitzer Battery. In March 1916, he proceeded overseas with the artillery and disembarked at Marseilles, France. In May 1916, he was transferred to the 6th Field Artillery Brigade.

Elliss rose through the artillery ranks during his service. He was promoted Temporary Sergeant, later reverted to Gunner, and was then confirmed as Sergeant. His record also shows periods attached to artillery training establishments in England, including Larkhill, where he completed a course in defensive measures against gas and obtained a first-class certificate.

His service was formally recognised when he was Mentioned in Despatches for conspicuous services rendered. The award was published in the London Gazette in December 1917 and in the Commonwealth Gazette in April 1918. A newspaper notice later recorded that his wife had been notified that Sergeant Herbert Elliss had been mentioned in a despatch by Sir Douglas Haig.

In 1918, Elliss was selected for officer training and joined an artillery cadet course in England. He qualified for a commission and was appointed second lieutenant on 3 January 1919, then promoted lieutenant on 4 April 1919. In April 1919, he was admitted to the 55th Casualty Clearing Station and later transferred to the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth.

Lieutenant Elliss returned to Australia aboard HT Prinz Ludwig in 1919. His appointment as an officer in the A.I.F. was terminated on 3 January 1920.

Soon after his return, Elliss suffered a serious personal loss. In October 1919, his wife, Jessie Dark Elliss, died in Sydney from influenza. A newspaper notice reported that Lieutenant “Bert” Elliss had only recently returned after four years of war service and was “not too well himself.” Jessie had formerly been a school teacher at Taree, New South Wales.

By 1930, Elliss was living in Newcastle, New South Wales, with his son, and working as a contractor. Between 1931 and 1936, he was recorded at Gladstone, Queensland, where he worked as a painter. By 1949, he was living at Amity Point, North Stradbroke Island, off the coast of Brisbane, Queensland, where he remained recorded until at least 1954.

John Herbert James Elliss died on 3 June 1956, aged 78, and was buried in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.

After seven decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia, ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice.
His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget