Soldier Record

One of five brothers from Hilton Killed during WW1, two other brother were wounded but survived.

5 Elson Brothers Served 3 Died 2 Wounded WW1

My grandfather Pte Arthur William Elson 2nd South Staffords KiA 3.2.1918, his other brothers Pte Richard Ernest Elson 7th Bn North Staffords was killed in action 18.4.1916 and Pte Bert Elson West Yorkshire Regt died of wounds 22.2.1918. John Thomas Elson Royal Field Artillery was wounded during his service. Pte Joseph Henry Elson was wounded twice and taken Prisoner of War on the 21st March 1918.

My father Charles Frederick Elson 7th Bn South Staffords in WW2 and was wounded on the 7th August 1944, the same day his brother in law Cpl Harry Rowley Poole 6th Bn North Staffords was killed in action fighting a short distance away in the same battle. My fathers twin brother Pte Arthur William Elson RAMC, together with George William Elson RAMC and Joseph henry Elson who served in the South Staffords and Royal Artillery survived the war.

Rememberance Sunday starts with a small parade of Old Comrades and some serving soldiers at Whittiington Barracks at 8.40am where we remember the dead of the North South and Staffordshire Regiment now 3rd Bn Mercian Regt (Staffords), I then visit my fathers and uncles graves who are all deceased and place a cross on them and at 10.58am I am at St Johns Church Wall where my Great Uncle Bert Elson is buried and has a Commonwealth Headstone. He died as a result of gas poisoning and I stand in silence, my thoughts go back to my great Grandmother who would have received at least 6 telegrams stating that he sons had either died, been wounded or taken Prisoner of War.