17721 Private George James Elliott 2nd Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers.
In 1891 the Elliott family are living at Whitelye (Whiteleigh) Trelleck.
Head of the household is James Elliott (born Trelleck 1856) he is a general labourer and is married to Mary Jane Elliott (Nee Parker), (born Trelleck 1857). They married in the 2nd quarter of 1885 at Monmouth. They have 3 children, Sarah Ann Elliott age 5. Florry Elliott age 3 and Susannah Elliott age 1. Florry and Susannah were baptised at Trellech Church on 15th February 1891.
George James is not born at Trellech until the 1st quarter of 1895.
In 1911 George age 16, is a servant at Nex Farm, Devauden the farm of John Campbell James's and his brother William James. farm at Devauden.
His father as died as his mother is now a widow and living AT Veddow, Devauden. She has Sarah Ann living at home, age 25, and single, but working as a Government Letter Carrier. A son Thomas Elliott is at home aged 14, (born Trelleck 21st January 1897) as is his brother William Elliott, age 12 (born Trelleck 1899). Thomas was baptised at Trellech Church on 22nd February 1897. There is one sister Emily age 8, (born Trelleck 1903). The Elliott family had 9 children by 1911 one of whom had died.
George leaves servant work to join up. He joined the Infantry Base Depot Royal Welsh Fusiliers, enlisting at Newport. He became 1721 Private George Elliott
He was then transferred to 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
The last battle for the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1917 was on November 18th when the British advance north and south of the Ancre in heavy rain and reach the outskirts of Grandcourt. The operations end and the Battle of the Somme is over.
It is presumed that he was injured at this and lingered on until New Years Day 1917. He died in France and Flanders on New Years Day 1917, age 22, from wounds sustained in action.
He was reburied at Etaples Military Cemetery in August 1918.
His Headstone was inscribed "Thy Will Be Done" at the request of the mother and a central cross on the stone.
His parents were living at The Feddw (Veddow) - (this probably means Birches), Devauden.
He was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal, these awards are confirmed in the medal roll of the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 2nd October 1920.
He is said to have been born at Cwmcarvan but in the census of 1900 and 1911 he is born in Trelleck so I think the SDGW is a mistake although Cwmcarvan is just up on the hill from Trelleck.
