Lieutenant Alexander Elliot

Lieutenant Alexander Shiels Elliot, 8th ( Lanark ) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 28th June 1915, aged 22. He was the son of William Elliot of Muirglen, Lanark and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He had been educated at Glasgow Academy before joining his father’s auctioneering business.  ( The family Estate was at Harwood, Bonchester Bridge ).He was commissioned in August 1914.  Interestingly enough although the 8th Battalion, H.L.I. was not  engaged at Gallipoli he had been attached to ” B ” Coy. 1st/7th Battalion, Royal Scots as the Battalion Machine Gun Officer. ( The 7th Battalion had been involved in the Gretna train disaster and had lost many Officers and men. These losses were made up by attachments from other Battalions).  He fell in the fighting at Gully Ravine which was considered to be successful although casualties were heavy. ( 3.800 against Turkish losses of 6,000 ). The regimental history states ” The Battalion machine guns under Lieut. Elliot of the 8th H.L.I. rendered most valuable support throughout the attack and the fact that comparatively light losses were sustained in the first phase of the attack was largely due to the skilful covering fire afforded by Lieut. Elliot’s guns”. Casualties as ever were heavy. 5 Officers and 116 Other Ranks were killed and 6 Officers and 114 Other Ranks were wounded.