A Dumfries Man's 'Mortally Wounded' Casualty of the First Day of Loos - Scotland's Bloodiest Ever Day of War - medal group of 3: Private Frank Elliot, 1st/7th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers
- 1914-15 Star (13455 Pte. F. Elliott, K.O.Sco:Bord: )
- British War Medal. Silver issue (13455 Pte. F. Elliott. K.O.Sco.Bord.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (13455 Pte. F. Elliott. K.O.Sco.Bord.)
Mortally Wounded Loos: Private Francis Elliott, is confirmed having died 'Died-of-Wounds' on 26 September 1915, having painfully lingered on since being wounded during the 'First Day of the Battle of Loos', the previous day, and who would have been a battlefield witness to the feats of uncommon gallantry displayed by 'The Piper of Loos' - Piper Daniel Laidlaw - for which actions the piper was decorated with the Victoria Cross, and became a legendary Piper of the Great War.
The life and supreme sacrifice of Frank Elliot (he is recorded variously as Elliot & Elliot) is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, where his service details are inscribed on a regimental panel on the Loos Memorial located in the Pas de Calais region of France
Basis the inspirational deeds of supreme gallantry performed by Piper Daniel Laidlaw, 7th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers ate Loos - which would have been amongst the final living memories of Frank Elliot, we are here quoting the Victoria Cross citation of the Piper of Loos:
Quote (London Gazette issue of 18 November 1915);
15851 Piper Daniel Laidlaw, 7th Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers,
For most conspicuous bravery prior to an assault on German trenches near Loos and Hill 70 on 25th September, 1915.
During the worst of the bombardment, when the attack was about -to commence, Piper Laidlaw, seeing that his company was somewhat shaken from the effects of gas, with absolute coolness and disregard of danger mounted the parapet, marched up and down I and played his company out of the trench. The effect of his splendid example was immediate, and the company dashed out to the assault. Piper Laidlaw continued playing his pipes till he was wounded.
Unquote.
Medals Verification: The Great War campaign medals all verified as issued per the respective medal rolls of the King's Own Scottish Borderers:
a). 1914-15 Star: WO 329/2699. First entered theatre of war 'France' on, 9 July 1915, with 7/KOSB)
b). British War Medal. Silver issue: WO 329/113, Shown with 7/KOSB
c). Interallied Victory Medal: WO 329/1113. Shown with 7/KOSB
The local newspaper 'Dumfries & Galloway Saturday Standard' in 1915, contained several articles pertaining to the war services of Frank Elliot, see issues of, 25 September, 16 October & 20 October 1915. The issue of 20 October includes a fine portrait of him in his Field Service uniform and wearing his Glengarry with regimental badge. We are here quoting the texts from the 25th September & 16 October issues, in order:
Quote (from under column, 'Soldiers Letters');
A STARVING GERMAN
Private Frank Elliot, 7th Service Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, writing to his wife who resides in Coffee Close, under date 17th September says:
I am in the pink of health. I am in the pink of health. We have been lucky as yet, and with God's help we will pull through. I am at present in the trenches, helping to do my little bit. You will have heard by now about how Signaller William Murray met his death. He was killed last night by shrapnel, which hit him on the chest. He never gave a cry, poor fellow. We were out with a working party the other night, and the Huns did their best to hit some of us with shells. They did not manage that, and we are all safe and sound and good enough for a few Huns yet, as they will learn before long. We are having very good weather here, and it is not so very cold at nights in the trenches. We don't get much bread out here, and the French bread is very dear, sevenpence being the price for a loaf. I don't think it will be long till the Germans are out of it, as our artillery is doing good work. We are all quite safe, and if it comes to our lot we will never go under. A German came into our trenches to-day and gave himself up. He says he was starving and had not had any meat for two days. That looks good to us, of course, as our men are all fresh and well
Unquote.
Comment: Sadly this would appear to have been Frank's final letter to his wife Bessie, as he was dead only nine days later.....
Quote,
DUMFRIES BORDERER KILLED
Mrs Elliot, 164 High Street, yesterday received official intimation, of the death of her husband, Private Frank Elliot, of the 7th King's Own Scottish Borderers. Private Elliot was wounded during the recent big advance, and died on 26th September. He was 40 years of age, and was a butcher by trade. He joined the army in September of last year, and before then he was employed at Ironhirst Peatworks. Mrs Elliot is left with a family of eight. The eldest boy is in the navy, and is at present serving on H.M.S. Duke of Edinburgh.
Unquote.
Medals Verification: The Great War campaign medals all verified as issued per the respective medal rolls of the King's Own Scottish Borderers:
a). 1914-15 Star: WO 329/2699. First entered theatre of war 'France' on, 9 July 1915, with 7/KOSB)
b). British War Medal. Silver issue: WO 329/113, Shown with 7/KOSB
c). Interallied Victory Medal: WO 329/1113. Shown with 7/KOSB
A fine Jock's medal group to a 'Patriot' who almost certainly witnessed, the gallantry of the Piper of Loos, as one of his final memories before he was mortally wounded on the same day of battle.......
Condition: VF
Code: 24563