Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Elkington, a shoe trade finisher, born 1863 in Leicester and his wife Sarah Ann Elkington (nee Wain, married in the 4th quarter of 1884 in the Leicester district), born 1867 in Westerham, Kent. Ernest was born in the 4th quarter of 1893 in Anstey, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Thomas Henry, a shoe trade clicker, born 1886 and John Shadrach, born 1889, the latter two siblings were both born in Leicester, Hettie Eliza, born 1891, Nora Alice, born 1896 and Redvers Frederick, born 1900, the latter three siblings were all born in Anstey, In March 1901 the family home was at Church Lane, Anstey. In April 1911 Ernest was absent from the family home at George Street, Anstey, residing there was his father, a shoe factory gas engineer, his mother and siblings, Nora, a cardboard box maker, Redvers, Charlotte, born 1901, William, born 1903 and Mary Wain, born 1905, the latter three siblings were all born in Anstey, also residing with the family was Ernest’s widowed paternal grandfather, Shadrack Elkington, born 1841 in Leicester, Ernest was serving as a Private with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and was stationed at Bhurtpore Barracks, South Tidworth, Hampshire.
The War Diary records: 4 Nov-14 – Heavy rifle and artillery fire at about 10:00am and inflicted severe casualties. Captain Slade called up for reinforcements from our right about noon. Lieutenant -?- was sent down for these reinforcements and to report the situation to Major Carter who then came up to the trenches to see for himself. On his round he was first wounded by a bullet and then struck a second time by a shrapnel bullet and killed. Earlier in the day Captain and Adjutant Allen was wounded by a shrapnel which burst in Head Quarters. I think this is the heaviest shrapnel and other artillery fire we have as yet had to put up with since the commencement of the war. The bearing of the N.C.O.’s and men of the Regiment was worthy of all praise. Total casualties out of 250 men in the trenches was 15 killed and 35 wounded. We were relieved at dusk by the Gloucestershire Regiment and bivouacked the night East of HOOGE and North of the Menen Road. Officers present Captain Prince, Captain Slade, Lieutenant Hynd??, Lieutenant -?-.
On Saturday April 10th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “MISSING AND WOUNDED.” – Mrs. S. A. Elkington, of Anstey, has received intimation that her son, Private E. Elkington, 1st Batt. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, has been wounded and missing since 4th November last. He is 21 years of age. His two brothers Sergt. T. H. Elkington and Private J. S. Elkington, are serving in the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment, now in British East Africa.