Wilfrith Elstob
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding 16th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment
- Register No.
- 380 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant Colonel (register: Temp. Lieutenant Colonel) all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- Commanding 16th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment all Manchester Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 21 March 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 9th June 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
- Born
- at 8th September, 1888 at Chichester, Sussex
- Died
- 21st March 1918 near St Quentin, France
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Pozieres Memorial, France and also at All Saints Church, Siddington, Cheshire
Digest of citation
On 21st March 1918 at the Manchester Redoubt, near St Quentin, France, Lieutenant Colonel Elstob encouraged his men during the preliminary bombardment, giving personal support with revolver, rifle and bombs. Single-handed, he repulsed a bombing assault and later when ammunition was required, made several journeys under heavy fire to replenish the supply. By means of a buried cable he sent a message to his brigade commander that the Manchesters would hold the position to the last, and although he was wounded twice he inspired his men to do this until he was killed, in the final assault
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
ELSTOB, Wilfrith. (reg No. 380).
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding 16th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment.
London Gazetted on 9th June 1919.
Born on at 8th September, 1888 at Chichester, Sussex.
Died on 21st March 1918 near St Quentin, France.
Memorial at Pozieres Memorial, France and also at All Saints Church, Siddington, Cheshire.
Digest of Citation reads: On 21st March 1918 at the Manchester Redoubt, near St Quentin, France, Lieutenant Colonel Elstob encouraged his men during the preliminary bombardment, giving personal support with revolver, rifle and bombs. Single-handed, he repulsed a bombing assault and later when ammunition was required, made several journeys under heavy fire to replenish the supply. By means of a buried cable he sent a message to his brigade commander that the Manchesters would hold the position to the last, and although he was wounded twice he inspired his men to do this until he was killed, in the final assault.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Pozieres Memorial, France and also at All Saints Church, Siddington, Cheshire
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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