Lieutenant Esmond Elliot

Lieutenant The Hon. Gavin William Esmond Elliot, “G” Coy. 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards, He died in hospital in Belgium on 6th August 1917 of wounds received in action during the Third Battle of Ypres, aged 22, and is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Flanders, Belgium. He was the younger son of the 4th Earl of Minto K.G. and the Countess of Minto of Minto House, Minto, Roxburghshire. On the 25th July Lieutenant Elliot had led a raid on ” Baboon Trench” in order to gather intelligence for the opening day of the Battle which was due to commence on 31st July. The raid was successful and no losses were suffered, On 6th August the Battalion was relieved in the line by the1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards and it was during this relief that Lieutenant Elliot was mortally wounded. A fellow Officer Lt. Ewart wrote ” Poor Esmond Elliot was shot through the body and arm a few yards from me and his orderly killed outright. He was conscious to the last and did not realise he was dying although he was in great pain “.At the time he was in command of “G” Coy.  His Colonel wrote ” He was a born leader, always in sympathy with his men. I have never had a better Officer since I commanded a Battalion “. His original grave marker can be found in Minto Church. He had been educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. On the outbreak of War he joined the Lothian and Border Horse and became A.D.C. to General Fielding before and transferring to the Scots Guards in August 1916. His Headstone is inscribed ” Son Of 4th Earl Of Minto K.G. I Will Give Thee A Crown Of Life”. The photographs were taken during the early stages of the Battle.