A village with a big story
Selected Biographies
Elliston, Arthur Thomas – Born: Bulmer, Essex in 1885. Parents: Thomas Elliston (Stockman) and Phoebe Mercy [née Butcher]. Home: 4 Gaol Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk (1891), living with George Carter (uncle) at 39 Lockington Road, Battersea, London (1901), Church Road, Bulmer, Essex (1911). Occupation: Grocer’s Improver (1901), Agricultural Labourer (1911), Stockman for Harry Laflin of Park Farm, Long Melford [1916]. Married: Ada M. Poole in 1927. Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in March 1916 his employer Harry Laflin requested Arthur’s exemption. As a farmer of 250 acres with 30 cows, Laflin argued that if Elliston was conscripted it would ‘put him in a muddle’. The military advisors on the panel disagreed and allowed his man only one month’s exemption.[1] Conscription should have followed shortly after; however, his unit is not known as no definitive military record can be found. Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1929.
[1] For the Tribunal’s ruling see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 15.3.1916.
Elliston, Harry John Born: Elmswell, Suffolk on 30.1.1899.[1] Parents: William Henry Elliston (Insurance Agent) and Margaret Amelia Jane [née Holmes]. Home: Rose Lane, Elmswell, Suffolk (1901), The Street, Elmswell (1911), Station Road, Long Melford (1939) to [1963]. Occupation: Great Eastern Railway Porter (1916), Railway Signalman (1939). Married: Violet Blanche Pledger in 1922. Service Record: Harry was conscripted on 14.10.1916 and placed on the Army Reserve until he was mobilised on 24.4.1917 as Pte.23012 with 32nd Training Reserve Battalion. On 12.5.1918 he was moved briefly as Pte.89344 to 13th [Service] Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and posted to France, before transferring in the field as Pte.GS/77900 to 10th [Service] Battalion, Royal Fusiliers [City of London] Regiment as part of 111th Brigade, 37th Division. On 21.8.1918 the Battalion launched a large-scale assault on German positions at Ablainzevelle about eleven miles south of Arras. During this attack Harry received a shrapnel wound to his right leg and was taken to No. 12 American General Hospital at Rouen in France, before receiving extensive treatment in Wales. He was transferred to the Army Reserve in June 1919 while serving with 5th [Reserve] Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.[2] Died: Felixstowe, Suffolk on 3.8.1963.[3]
[1] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Long Melford. [2] Details of this action can be found in 10th Royal Fusiliers’ War Diary [WO 95/2532/1]. See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329], and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [3] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.
Genealogical Tables
