ROLL OF HONOUR.
The festive character of the Christmas season is naturally robbed of much of its joy by the shadows of war and its in numerable company of sorrows, but the news with which Christmas, 1917, has been heralded in this district, has brought with it still more alloy of sadness. The obviously severe engagement on the Western Front early in the present month took its toll of the young manhood of the Wakatipu, for on Friday and Saturday last the Defence Department advised the next of kin of the supreme sacrifice that had been made by some of the flower of our youth. That army of deathless heroes! But for this war we should never have realised how truly great are these noble sons of ours who have sacrificed everything for their country, the good of mankind and the cause of truth and liberty. We now know something great and glorious not only of British but of Wakatipu pluck and endurance. May the bereaved find some consolation in the knowledge that the work they have accomplished is not their own but His in whose strong Hands are the issues of life and death.
Themselves they gave!
God's greatest act of Love is here.
Now they share the rich reward of those
Who strove to live, not for themselves,
But for others, holding thus
The secret key to life that knows no end.
KILLED IN ACTION.
PRIVATE HENRY FIELD ELLIOTT.
It was with very great regret that the news was received in Queenstown, on Friday of the death in action, on December 3rd, of Private Henry Field Elliott, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Alexander senr., Elfin Bay, Lake Wakatipu. Deceased soldier owned the lease of Routeburn station, Kinloch, and at great sacrifice volunteered with the 30th Reinforcements. He was appointed Corporal, but deciding that it would delay hid departure for the Front he decided to forgo his stripes, and eventually left New Zealand with the 28th. According to the latest advice received by his parents, he could scarcely have been in the trenches more than a month before he met his end. Private Elliott was born at Invercargill, has father at that time being at Makarora station. When Henry was about eight years of age his parents removed to Elfin Bay, and almost from this early age he took his part in the working of the station. A few years back when his father acquired Routeburn Station, the late Private Elliott took over the management with a leasehold interest. So keen was he to answer the call to the colors that, failing to dispose of the property, he sold off his sheep and practically turned the key in the gate.
Deceased soldier was a magnificent specimen of manhood, and in strength a regular Hercules. A more clean-living, high-minded, temperate young fellow it would be difficult to find. He was straight in all his dealings and unswerving in his allegiance to truth and right. His donations to patriotic and other deserving projects were characteristically liberal. Especially was this- so in regard to the local Red Cross, which lost a keen supporter and staunch friend in his departure for the Front. Mr and Mrs Elliott and family need scarcely be assured that the people of the Wakatipu deeply sympathise with them in the death of this noble soldier son. Private Alex. Elliot, deceased's younger brother, is also serving the Colors. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 24/12/1917.
Henry lived through the tragic attack of the Otago Regiment - and others - on Bellevue Spur during the Battle of Passchendaele on October 10, 1917. He died during their next action, an equally abortive attack on Polderhoek Chateau on December 3rd. The attack began with a "friendly" barrage of artillery fire descending on the Otagos, causing serious casualties. Those in charge of the attack ordered an immediate advance to safety towards the enemy, who poured machine gun fire into them from their blockhouses. The Chateau itself - or, at least, what was left of it - was not taken.
Henry Elliot has no known grave.
FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE.
IN MEMORIAM.
ELLIOTT. — In loving memory of my dear son, Private Henry Field Elliott, killed in action somewhere in France, December 3, 1917.
We think of him still as we knew' him, Earnest, steadfast, and true,
And as such in the van of battle he fell for me and for you.
— Inserted by his loved ones. -Otago Daily Times, 9/12/1921.
ROLL OF HONOUR.
Private Alexander William Elliott.
Profound regret will be felt throughout the length and breadth of the Wakatipu district at the death of Private Alexander Wm. Elliott, elder surviving son of Mr and Mrs Alex. Elliott, late of Elfin Bay, which took place in Queenstown last Sunday morning after a somewhat protracted illness. Although prior to his enlistment Private Elliott was a strong young man his health lost some of its tone while he was in camp, and when he reached England he was attacked by measles, which was followed by pleurisy. A relapse of the latter left him then an easy victim to serious pulmonary trouble. Apprehensive, no doubt, of its sequel, the Home authorities invalided him back to New Zealand. He arrived at Port Chalmers in June last, and a few days later hits relatives brought him on to Queenstown. For a time hopes were entertained that the progress of the complaint might at least be retarded, but — alas, its inroads were such that but temporary relief could be afforded, death ensuing on the day mentioned.
Private Elliott, who was only 27 years of age, was originally posted to the 27th. Reinforcements, out on volunteers being called to fill shortages in the 26ths he offered himself as one ready and willing. This was but in keeping with his determination from the outset to "get there." When he first volunteered he was turned down in Dunedin, and subsequently by the Queenstown medico, for a simple disability which the standard barred; but, nothing daunted, he bided his tame and submitted himself for re-examination at Invercargill, when he was passed as fit. As a further indication of his tenacity and fine spirit, it might he mentioned that he had made up his mind that should he be turned down again he would pay or work his passage Home and be "into it" somehow or other.
Though he was overtaken by sickness, which thwarted him of his ambition to serve his King, Private Elliott has as gallantly done his duty as any of his comrades and as faithfully served his Country as the noblest and best of the men who have laid down their lives on the held of battle.
Young Elliott was an upright, clean-living man of lofty ideals. He had, moreover, a clear vision of duty to which he was at ail times true, — "as steel to the magnet clings." Men such as he are truly the salt of the earth. His elder brother, Henry Field Elliott, who was killed in action in December last, was such another. Their lives have enriched the world's store of noble manhood, and in their deaths they have shared the sacrifice of those who have striven not to live for themselves but for others, holding thus the secret key of life that knows no end.
Private Elliot was born at Invercargill, his father at that, time being at Mavora Station. When Alex. was but a lad his parents came to the district, and from that time onward he was engaged on his father's run at Elfin Bay and Routeburn. During this time he acquired a comprehensive knowledge of station-management and became a highly competent sheep farmer.
The deep sympathy of our people will go out to Mr and Mrs Elliott and their remaining son and two daughters in the sore trials which have followed so closely one upon another.
Private Elliott was accorded a military funeral this afternoon. The hearse, bearing the coffin wrapped in the Union Jack, was preceded in order by a firing party and the Band. The chief mourners were followed by the returned soldiers, the territorials, the senior cadets, and the girls' brigade, the representatives of public bodies coming next. When the cemetery gates were reached the firing party formed into two lines and rested on their arms reverted. Four borough Councillors acted as pall bearers, carrying the coffin to the grave side. At the conclusion of the service, which was conducted by the Rev. R C. Hunter, assisted by the Rev R. Geo. Coats, the firing party fired over the grave and the bugler sounded the "Last Post." The ceremony was a most impressive and fitting one. Captain. P. Mackenzie was in charge of the parade.
All the flags on public buildings were flown at the masthead as a mark of respect for the memory of deceased soldier. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 20/8/1918.
It will not be a surprise to know that Alexander Elliott died of tuberculosis.
FCR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.
IN MEMORIAM.
ELLIOTT. — In loving memory of my dear son, Private Alexander William Elliott, who died of sickness at Queenstown an August 18, 1918.
This day brings back our memory fresh, Of him now called to rest,
And the ones who think of him to-night, Are the ones who loved him best.
Link by link the chain is broken, One by one we are all going home;
Though we hope to meet our loved ones, In that bright eternal home.
— Inserted by his loved ones. -Otago Daily Times, 21/8/1920.
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