Guest PaulGray Posted 17 November , 2005 Share Posted 17 November , 2005 Hi Just joined the forum today so new to this. I have been trying to research what happened to my great Grandfather Thomas Brown Elstob who was killed in France on 9th June 1916. I have tracked down his grave and visited it.He was buried at Heilly Station on the Somme but I believe he was brought to the dressing station there by train.He was in the 23rd Division Tyneside Scottish. I would appreciate any info or tips on how to go about finding out how he came to be there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Stewart Posted 17 November , 2005 Share Posted 17 November , 2005 Paul, 23/1073 Pte Thomas Brown Elstob served with the 23rd(Service)Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers(4th Tyneside Scottish). He was born in South Shields, resided in South Shileds and enlisted in South Shields. He died of wounds on the 9th June 1916 and as you say was buried in Heilly Station Cemetery. The battalion served with 102nd(Tyneside Scottish) Brigade, as part of the 34th Division and the Brigade moved down to the Somme in May 1916 in preparation for the "Big Push", which due to delay caused by the weather was put back to the 1st July 1916. The 23rd Bn were actually billeted in the village of Behencourt and like other battalions provided many working parties in preparation for the attack. The 34th Division's area of attack was La Boisselle and Heilly Village was used to represent La Boisselle during practice by the battalions of the Brigade. It's quite possible that Pte Elstob was one of three men of 'B' Company, 23rd Bn,N.F., who were wounded on the 4th June as they went to support the 21st Bn,N.F., after a German raid on the 21st positions. One being wounded on guard and two on the way up. The reason for my conclusion to this, is because in the 23rd Bn War Diary "Nil" casualties are recorded before and after the 4th June 1916. I actually have a copy of the War Diary here and if you would like a copy of the 1st to 9th June 1916, just give me an e.mail address. By the way there's a cracking book on the market entitled "Tyneside Scottish", which covers the War History of the Tyneside Scottish Brigade, and it can be ordered through most bookshops. Best of luck in your research. Graham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 17 November , 2005 Share Posted 17 November , 2005 A good book to digest! It will give you an idea of what your Great Grandfather went through. You might follow it up with a read of McCrae's Battalion for more information on the Division's actions on the Somme. I attach a view of the area of attack from the German line. Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PaulGray Posted 19 November , 2005 Share Posted 19 November , 2005 Thanks very much for the info .I do have the excellent book about the Tyneside Scottish but have yet to read it. I had often heard my grandmother speaking of her Father who was buried in France and one day decided to pick up the phone and trace his grave.Since visiting the grave I would like to learn as much as possible about his army service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 19 November , 2005 Share Posted 19 November , 2005 His entry on Scottish National War Memorial is below. Details Surname ELSTOB Firstname Thomas Brown Service Number 23/1073 Date Death 09/06/1916 Decoration Place of birth South Shields Other 23rd Bn. SNWM roll THE NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) Rank Pte Theatre of death F.& F. Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 19 November , 2005 Share Posted 19 November , 2005 Paul Welcome to the Forum Elstob is an uncommon name (only 7 listed on the War Graves Commission website) and I wonder if you know within your family history if you have any link to Colonel Wilfrith Elstob, who was killed in action whilst commanding 16/Manchester. He and his immediate family were from Cheshire but, you never know..... John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PaulGray Posted 19 November , 2005 Share Posted 19 November , 2005 Thanks fr that Malcolm I had no Idea he was mentioned on the Scottish National War Memorial. John I mentioned your post to my sister and she tells me that my Grandmother had family in Manchester, as she had stayed with them while in service.As you say it is an uncommon name and it has certainly wetted my appetite to look into it further. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 19 November , 2005 Share Posted 19 November , 2005 Paul Click here for a link to his entry on the War Graves Commission website. As you'll see, he's a Victoria Cross winner and "well famous" amongst Forum members who are interested in the Manchesters. On your own research, Heilly Station was the base for a Casualty Clearing Station (the mobile field hospital of the day). And you're right, he will have been brought by train. It's a couple of years since I was at the cemetery but, from memory it is about 300 yards up a slight hill (with the railway track at the bottom). Lovely cemetery, isnt it? Good luck with the research John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PaulGray Posted 19 November , 2005 Share Posted 19 November , 2005 John Thanks for the information and I am looking forward to following it up and will keep you posted. Heilly Station is a beautiful cemetry and its peace and serenity now is fitting of the men who gave their lives there, in a place that would have been hell on earth at the time. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PaulGray Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Graham Got the diaries thanks, have tried to email you but keep getting the email returned.Thanks for your help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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