ELLIOT, Alban Charles
| Service Numbers: | Officer, NX70667, N74243 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 September 1915, Bathurst, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | Lines of Communication Units |
| Born: | Waterlooville, England, 7 June 1892 |
| Home Town: | Eastwood, Ryde, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Solicitor |
| Died: | Natural causes, New South Wales, Australia, 3 August 1978, aged 86 years |
| Cemetery: |
Port Macquarie General Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Northbridge (Shore) Sydney Church of England Grammar School Memorial Cricket Ground Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 6 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 53rd Infantry Battalion, Bathurst, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Feb 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant | |
| 11 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 53rd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Vestalia embarkation_ship_number: A44 public_note: '' | |
| 11 Jul 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 53rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Vestalia, Sydney | |
| 26 Jan 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 53rd Infantry Battalion | |
| 7 Mar 1917: | Wounded Lieutenant, 53rd Infantry Battalion, German Withdrawal to Hindenburg Line and Outpost Villages | |
| 17 Apr 1918: | Wounded Lieutenant, 53rd Infantry Battalion, Villers-Bretonneux, 2nd occasion - gas | |
| 23 Apr 1919: | Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 53rd Infantry Battalion | |
| 23 Oct 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Captain, 53rd Infantry Battalion |
World War 2 Service
| 20 Jan 1941: | Enlisted Captain, NX70667, Paddington, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Major, NX70667 | |
| 21 Jan 1941: | Involvement N74243 | |
| 10 Dec 1943: | Discharged Major, NX70667, Lines of Communication Units, LoC HQ NSW |
Alban Charles Elliot
Alban known all his life as Bull Elliot a name given to him by the 53rd battalion.
Bull Elliot fought on the western front, serving in the7th, 2nd, 20th ,36th and finally the 53rd battalion. It was the fierce battle of Polygon wood that Alban won the Military Cross. Quote the AIF records For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his men in attack and ensured direction was kept, although twice badly shaken by bursting shells. when the objective was reached he twice organised and conducted parties to bring in enemy machine guns and ammunition, whichwere used against the enemy. Hew showed great courage and initiative throughout the operations. Dispatch mentions from Bellicourt, quote AIF records This officer throughout the operations near Bellicourt during the period 30 September to 2 October displayed great zeal, organising ability and devotion to duty while acting in capacity as Adjutant. He personally supervised the loading and issuing of SAA bombs and rations etc, making several journeys to the front line under heavy fire at grave personal risk in order to see same delivered. It is considered that this officers untiring energy contributed largely to the success of the operations.
Wounded in action7 March 1917
Wounded in action 17 April 1918
Adjutant of the 53rd battalion described by the book The Whale Oil Guards as being as fearless as a lion and a great soldier.
Promoted to Hon Captain23rd of April 1919.
Alban served and fought in the second world war.
Appointed Major 18th of December 1941, then later appointed a Military judge for the Aif. Port Macquaries longest serving Mayor before taking up a supreme court position in Sydney.
Alban passed away on the 3rd of August 1978. His obituary in the Port Macquarie News said to see him in action in Port Macquarie it was easy to see the qualitys that won him the Military Cross. Albans ashes have been buried next to his beloved wife and son in the Port Macquarie. A fearless soldier of two world wars. Alban Elliot I thank you ande salute and all the other brave poor soles that fought for freedom. God Bless you all!
Submitted 1 April 2015 by david king
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Charles Sinclair ELLIOT and Florence Louisa nee DUDLEY, 9 Carlyle Square, Hampshire, England
Awarded Military Cross 16 April 1918
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his men in an attack and ensured that direction was kept, although twice badly shaken by bursting shells. When the objective was reached, he twice organised and conducted parties to bring up ammunition through heavy shell fire. He also organised and led a party to bring in enemy machine guns and ammunition, which were used against the enemy. He was also active in arranging for the removal of the wounded. He showed great courage and initiative throughout the operations.'
GOOD NEWS OF FORBES BOYS
Lieutenant Albyn C. Eliott, writing from Chelsea, England, to Mr T. Lozell, of Forbes, says: "I am sending you a photo of my boat's crew, which shows them to be ready in the event of a collision. The crew includes Corporal Collits, myself, F. Allison, P. Jones, J. Anderson, A Anderson, W. J. Hill, W. Hunt, and J. Irwin. All the boys appear to be well pleased with England, but London is the chief attraction. I was sorry to find, on getting back from my school recently, that all our non-commissioned officers, including Arthur Allison and W. Collits, had gone in advance of the rest. Both are very fine fellows, and will do well. I am glad to say that I go over to France with the rest of the boys, and of course I shall join the other two lads there. I was earmarked to stay here training for six months, but got out of it to go with the boys, and this, I think, suits them as well as me, as though we've been separated up till now over this side, I have lost none of my interest in them, and ask for nothing better than to go into the trenches with them. You will be pleased to hear that both our non coms were very highly praised, and are considered far better than the average lot. I expect the rest of the company will be off about the 18th November. Please give my best wishes and kind remembrances to Mr and Mrs Allison, and Mr and Mrs Anderson, also to Mr Collits."
Alban Charles Elliot was born on June 7, 1892, the son of Norfolk Island chief magistrate Charles Sinclair Elliot and Florence Louisa Dudley.
AC Elliot enlisted in World War I in September, 1915. Three of his brothers were killed in action across both wars.
Elliot served on the Western Front with the 53rd Battalion 14th Brigade, 5th Austrlaian Division and was promoted to Lieutenant on January 26, 1917.
He was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry for the operations and attack on Polygon Wood in 1917.
At one point in the operation, the battalion was heavily shelled and its medic was unable to tend the several casualties. Elliot stepped in and personally attended to the wounded.
Later, with his commanding officer a casualty, Elliot continued to direct the attack despite being shelled.
According to the AIF military records: 'When the objective was reached, he personally organised and led a party to the old front line for ammunition, this he repeated on two occasions although the enemy were shelling the area through which he had to pass'.
He also organised and led a party to bring in German machine guns and ammunition which were used against the enemy.
Following the war, Elliot moved to Port Macquarie, practising as a solicitor.
He was elected mayor in 1925 and was reelected through to 1936. He is the longest serving mayor. He donated his yearly mayoral allowance to the town band.
War service: AC Elliot served his country with distinction. Photo: supplied
He was the first president of the forerunner to the RSL; administered surf and football clubs, captained golf, tennis, cricket and fishing clubs and honoured with life membership of several organisations.
A series of surf boats carried his initials 'ACE' for several years.
In 1939 Elliot was appointed president of the NSW Country Rugby League. He enlisted and served in the Second World War and was promoted to captain and then major.
In 1969 Mayor Elliot returned to Port Macquarie where he was presented a Local Government Service award.
He passed away on August 3, 1978.
In his obituary in the Port Macquarie News of Friday September 1, 1978, it was noted: that he was one of the most notable personalities to ever live in Port Macquarie. To see him in action in Port Macquarie, it is easy to see the leadership qualities that won him the Military Cross'.
https://www.portnews.com.au/story/5107486/meet-ac-elliot-the-war-hero-we-need-to-honour/
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