Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Herbert Charles Elkin, a stone miner, born in the April quarter of 1868 in Tunstall, Staffordshire (son of Charles Elkin, 1841-1898 and Fanny Cottrill, 1843-1874) and his wife Mary Elkin (nee Gadd, married on the 15th December 1888 in Christ Church, Tunstall), born in the April quarter of 1868 in Steel Heath, Wem, Shropshire and baptised on the 7th June 1868 in Christ Church, Tilstock, Shropshire (daughter of William Gadd, 1844-1893 and Martha Batho, 1844-1924). Herbert Charles was born on the 7th December 1895 and was baptised on the 31st December 1895 in Christ Church, Tunstall, his siblings were, Martha, born in the July quarter of 1889 and baptised as Martha Hannah on the 10th May 1889 in Christ Church, Tunstall, Alice Matilda, born on the 7th November 1890 and baptised on the 18th November 1890 in Christ Church, Tunstall, Amos, born on the 30th April 1894 in Tunstall and baptised on the 22nd May 1894 in Christ Church, Tunstall and Fanny, born in the July quarter of 1898 and baptised on the 9th August 1898 in Christ Church, Tunstall, all his siblings were born in Tunstall, in March 1901 the family home was at 20, Prospect Street, Burslem, Wolstanton, Staffordshire. In April 1911 Herbert was absent from the family home at 148, North Street, Hugglescote, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, a coal mine chargeman, his mother and siblings, Fanny, Harriet Ann, born on the 22nd April 1902 in Church Gresley, Derbyshire, Florence May, born in the January quarter of 1905 and Ivy, born on the 30th March 1906, the latter two siblings were both born in Bardon Hill, Leicestershire, meanwhile Herbert was employed as a colliery carter and was residing at 14, North Street, Hugglescote, this being the family home of his married sister, Alice Knifton and her husband, Challis Knifton, a coal miner, born in the January quarter of 1886 in Ibstock, Leicestershire and their son Walter Baden, born on the 29th December 1910 in Hugglescote and baptised in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Hugglescote. Herbert’s older brother Amos, fell in action on the 30th January 1916.
FAMILY NOTE: Herbert also had the following siblings, Ellen Ann, born in the January quarter of 1892 and baptised on the 2nd February 1892 in Christ Church, Tunstall and who died in the July quarter of 1892 in Tunstall, Elizabeth Ann, born in the January quarter of 1893 and who died in the April quarter of 1893 in Tunstall, Wilmot, born in the January quarter of 1900 and baptised on the 2nd January 1900 in Christ Church, Tunstall and who died in the July quarter of 1900 in Tunstall, the latter three siblings were all born in Tunstall and Hilda, born and died in December 1909 in Hugglescote and interred on the 18th December 1909 in Hugglescote Churchyard.
Herbert’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Ashby de la Zouch into the Regular Army. Date not known.
Joined. At Leicester. Date not known.
Posted. To Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 11152.
Posted. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in France 10/6/15.
Promoted. To Lance Corporal. Date not known.
Reported. Wounded and missing. In the Field. 25/9/15.
Presumed for official purposes to have died on or since. 25/9/15.
Body not recovered. Commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
Awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Herbert nominated his father, Herbert as his sole legatee.
The War Diary records: 25 Sept-15 - At 5.30 am the Battalion was in positions of readiness in accordance with orders in four lines opposite their objective with bombing parties, sandbag parties and carrying parties all arranged and in position. At 6.00 am the first line got over the parapet quickly followed by the second, the left had to right form to get in line with the right as the trench ran back from a salient near the centre. As the first two lines went out the third and fourth filed into the vacant positions in the firing line. The gas affected a number of our men, and the smoke caused a dense fog and direction was difficult. Casualties began at once and the third line was ordered out to fill up gaps. Owing to the thick smoke it seemed likely that gaps would occur on the flanks and at 6.07 am the fourth line was sent out with special instructions to maintain touch with the units on either flank. At about 6.10 am the left were over the German parapet and our flag was seen flying on their lines. The left went forward with such dash that they outstripped the 2/8th GURKHAS and came in for a lot of fire from rifles and maxim guns from our right. This caused a good many casualties including all the officers and most of the NCOs of “A” Company which was the extreme left. Undeterred the men went on, got over the uncut wire and reached the road with parties of the 2/8th GURKHAS and gained their objective. In the meantime, our right had not fared so well. They went forward in good line under a heavy fire till held up by the German wire. A number of our men here were collected in the ditch in front of the German wire waiting for developments. Officer casualties. Killed Captain F. H. ROMILLY D.S.O., Captain E. C. DEANE, R.A.M.C. Died of wounds 2nd Lieutenant M. W. BROWNE. Wounded Lieutenant Colonel H. GORDON D.S.O., Captain W. C. WILSON, Lieutenant H. H. PHILLIPS, 2nd Lieutenant G. W. TANNER, 2nd Lieutenant H. H. HEMPHILL, 2nd Lieutenant V. E. ELLINGHAM, 2nd Lieutenant C. C. BAILEY, 2nd Lieutenant G. W. GROSSMITH. Slightly wounded Major F. LEWIS, Captain D. L. WEIR. Gassed 2nd Lieutenant W. WILSON. Missing and believed killed Lieutenant W. T. PICKIN, 2nd Lieutenant R. E. S. LODGE. Missing known to have been wounded 2nd Lieutenant C. G. WOODBOURN. Missing and no trace 2nd Lieutenant W. J. WILKINSON, 2nd Lieutenant E. A. WILKINSON, 2nd Lieutenant T. R. LONGCROFT. Rank and file casualties. Killed 72. Wounded 217. Gassed 42. Missing 96. Wounded slightly but did not quit Battalion 3. What was left of the Battalion were relieved from the front line by the 2/39th GARWHAL RIFLES at 6.30 pm and moved into support and local reserve just in rear. Before the operations began the Battalion worked for a week in strengthening the front line and preparing the defences behind. Four very strong lines were constructed capable of resisting the enemy’s bombardment.
On Wednesday February 16th, 1916, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 3, under the heading. – HUGGLESCOTE GUARDSMAN KILLED IN ACTION. – Army Chaplain and the Soldier’s Bravery. – Mr. and Mrs. Elkin, of 148, North-street, Hugglescote, the parents of Private Amos Elkin, No.17597, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, have been officially notified that he was killed in action overseas, on the 30th January. The Regimental Adjutant of the Grenadier Guards forwarded a map to the parents, showing approximately the position of his burial place, marked in black ink. The Rev. A. S. Crowley, chaplain of No.4 Field Ambulance, 1st Guards’ Brigade, also wrote: “I think you will like to have a line from me to tell you about your son. I expect you will already have received the sad news that he was killed in action while keeping sentry in the trenches on the 30th January. I went round to see some of the men in his platoon, and also the Sergeant-Major of his company. They spoke very well of him as a good friend and a keen soldier. Indeed, that day he had volunteered to go out on rather a dangerous patrol, between two lines, and would have almost certainly gone had he not been killed. His death must, I think, have been a painless one, and he knew nothing after he had been hit. “I buried him in what is called the Min Post Cemetery, reserved for British troops, about two thousand yards behind the firing line, beside several of his gallant comrades in arms. The Sergeant-Major of the battalion and several of the men were present, and his body was carried to the graveside wrapped in the Union Jack, and the service conducted with simplicity, but reverence. Let me please offer you my most sincere sympathy. I hope that the thought that he has given his life for his country and died a brave soldier’s death may help to comfort you in your great loss. His sacrifice, I hope may win him a high place in the kingdom of the God of Love – where it will be appreciated by our Saviour, who said, ‘Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.’” The only other son of Mr. and Mrs. Elkin, Lance-Corporal Herbert Charles Elkin, 11152, B Company, 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, is officially reported wounded and missing since the 25th September. He wrote last on 22nd September, three days before the battle of Loos, and said that as they were expecting a big battle his relatives need not send any parcels until he wrote again. Corporal Elkin had been soldiering for three years. He was 20 years of age, and was in the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment when war was declared.
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Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday February 18th, 1916

HUGGLESCOTE GUARDSMAN KILLED

HIS BROTHER POSTED AS WOUNDED AND MISSING

The death of Private Amos Elkin, of the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, was officially notified to his parents, Mr and Mrs H. C. Elkin, of 148, North Street, Hugglescote, on Tuesday. The letter, dated February 12th, was from the Regimental Orderly Room, Buckingham Gate, London, S.W., and stated that Elkin was killed in action overseas on January 30th.

Mr and Mrs Elkin have one other son, also a soldier, Lance-Cpl. H. C. Elkin, of the 2nd Leicesters. Unfortunately, he has been posted as wounded and missing since September 25th last. The last letter received from him was dated September 22nd, three days before the battle of Loos, in which he stated that as they were expecting a big battle, his relatives need not send any parcels until he wrote again. He had previously served in the army, and is 20 years of age. Photos of the two brothers will be published in our next issue.

Coalville Times article - Friday January 5th, 1917

HUGGLESCOTE COLLIER LOSES BOTH SONS

LANCE-CORPORAL H. C. ELKIN

Mr and Mrs Herbert Charles Elkin, of 148, North Street, Hugglescote, have received a notification that the Army Council are regretfully constrained to conclude that their son, Lance-Corporal Herbert Charles Elkin, of the Leicestershire Regiment, died on September 25th, 1915, or since. On this date, after the battle of Loos, he was reported as missing, and his parents have heard nothing more of him since, until they received the Army Council’s letter a few days ago. Sympathy with them in their loss is expressed.

Lance-Corporal H. C. Elkin was 21 years of age last December, and joined the Army soon after the outbreak of war, prior to which he worked at the Ibstock Colliery. His father is also a miner, employed at the Whitwick Colliery, and has now lost his only two sons in the war. The other, Private Amos Elkin, of the Grenadier Guards, was killed in action on January 30th, 1916.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 12/10/2017