Keith Elliott
Sergeant, 22nd Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force
- Register No.
- 378 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 22nd Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (register: 22nd Battalion, NZEF) all NZEF VCs →
- Date of action
- 15 July 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 24th September 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Born
- 25th April 1916 at Apiti, New Zealand
- Died
- 7th October 1989 at Raumati, North Island, New Zealand
- Memorial / grave
- the Headquarters of the Dunedin RSA, New Zealand
Digest of citation
On 15th July 1942 at Ruweisat, Western Desert, Sergeant Elliott, while leading his platoon in an attack under heavy machine-gun and mortar fire, was wounded in the chest, nevertheless, he carried on and led his men in a bayonet charge which resulted in the capture of four enemy machine gun posts and anti-tank gun. Seven of the enemy were killed and 50 taken prisoner. In spite of his wounds Sergeant Elliott refused to leave his platoon until he had reformed them and handed over the prisoners, the number which had by then increased to 130
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
ELLIOTT, Keith. (Reg No. 378).
Sergeant 22nd Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on 24th September 1942.
Born on 25th April 1916 at Apiti, New Zealand.
Died on 7th October 1989 at Raumati, North Island, New Zealand.
Memorial at the Headquarters of the Dunedin RSA, New Zealand.
Digest of Citation reads: On 15th July 1942 at Ruweisat, Western Desert, Sergeant Elliott, while leading his platoon in an attack under heavy machine-gun and mortar fire, was wounded in the chest, nevertheless, he carried on and led his men in a bayonet charge which resulted in the capture of four enemy machine gun posts and anti-tank gun. Seven of the enemy were killed and 50 taken prisoner. In spite of his wounds Sergeant Elliott refused to leave his platoon until he had reformed them and handed over the prisoners, the number which had by then increased to 130.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: the Headquarters of the Dunedin RSA, New Zealand
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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