Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Elliott, a coal miner, born 1860 in Belton, Leicestershire, who died in the 2nd quarter of 1897, aged 37, and his widowed wife Elizabeth Elliott (nee Shaw, married 1881), a seamstress, born 1863 in Diseworth, Leicestershire. John Nahum, was born in 1895 in Belton, his siblings were, Joseph Henry, a collier, born 1882, Ernest, a collier, born 1883, Alice, a boot and shoe trade fitter, born 1887, Bertha, a seamstress, born 1889, Elizabeth Ellen, a schoolgirl, born 1891, William, born 1894 and Enoch, born 1897, all his siblings were born in Belton, in March 1901 the family home was at Long Street, Belton. In April 1911 John was employed as a labourer and was residing in the family home at 112, Station Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, together with his mother and step father, Thomas Thurman, a bricklayer’s labourer, born 1852 in Shepshed, Leicestershire, and his siblings, Elizabeth, a domestic servant and Enoch, a labourer, and his half blood siblings, Charlotte Trigger Thurman, born 1903, Thomas Thurman, born 1904 and Richard Wilfred Thurman, born 1907, the latter three half blood siblings were all born in Shepshed.
The War Diary records: 30 Apr-15 – LOCRE. 8.00pm. Battalion proceeded to trenches. Relief complete at 10.30pm.
The War Diary records: 1 May-15 - TRENCHES. Normal.
The War Diary records: 2 May-15 – TRENCHES. 6.00pm. Heavy evening shelling North of line held by Battalion.
The War Diary records: 3 May-15 – TRENCHES. 6.00pm. Rifle grenades fired from Trench 15. Two failed explode, but correct range and angle found with the 4th.
The War Diary records: 4 May-15 – TRENCHES. Enemy used trench mortars in retaliation for rifle grenades. 11.35pm. Relief by 4th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. complete. Note: A new trench E.4.S, was taken over by Battalion, connecting 15 and E.3. This would only be a fire trench if E.1. were taken by the enemy and is somewhat dangerous owing to enfilade fire from Hill 76. Casualties 1 killed. 6 wounded.
On Saturday May 8th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. Information was received yesterday morning by Mrs. Elliott, of Granville Street, Loughborough, that her son, Private John N. Elliott, in the 5th Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on May 2nd. The news was sent by his brother, Private Wm. Elliott, who is in the same platoon. Deceased was 20 years of age, and joined the Territorial’s a year last February. He formerly worked at Messenger and Co., Ltd. Another brother, Private Enoch Elliott, is in the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire’s.
On Friday June 4th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT CASUALTIES. LEICESTER 5th BATTALION CASUALTIES.
The following casualties are officially reported from Base, under date May 15th:-
KILLED.
Leicestershire Regiment 5th Battalion, T.F.
Elliott, 1804, Private J. N.
WOUNDED.
Butteriss, 2334, Private R., Ellicott, 1419, Private E., Gregory, 2322, Private J., Rawlings, 1601, Private J. W.