Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

William T. Elliott

d.05/11/1943

Berkhamsted's last Town Crier, died during the war

Relatives

Reginald Charles Elliott (or Newell) — son

• Melanie Elliman
• James Moir

Plot 594 William T Elliott (1868-1943)

William was a farmer’s son born in 1868 at Hulcote Farm near Aylesbury to Christopher and Elizabeth Elliott. He was their fifth child and third son.

In 1890 he married Harriet Gayler 1890 in Braughing, her home village and they settled in

Green End Braughing. Their son George E was born in 1891. The couple employed a monthly nurse to help the new mother and a general domestic servant. In the census William gave his occupation as ironmonger and blacksmith. Sadly, baby George died the next year aged only 19 months. However, in 1892 Dorothy May Henrietta was born and Reginald Charles in 1895.

In 1901 the family had moved to 19, Eleanor Road, Hertford, and William was an agent for sewing machines. They also had four young boarders, which must have assisted the family income.

In 1911 young Reginald joined the Navy as a “Boy”. By then William, Harriet and Dorothy had moved to 3, Montague Road, Berkhamsted. William was still selling sewing machines – probably a quite buoyant market in those days when virtually every home that could afford one, had one, and they also had two boarders and Dorothy was working as a stationer’s assistant.

The family must have been in great anxiety when Reginald “ran” from the Navy. By 1915 he had joined the Army, but it is not clear what he was doing between those dates. At some point he rejoined the Navy under the name of Newell, but lost his life when he was wounded in 1916. He died on the Shetland Islands.

In 1921 William and Harriet had moved to 29, Victoria Road and he was employed as a laundry carman by a Mr Lighton in Lower Kings Road. They still had one boarder.

In 1939 they were living at number 32 Victoria Road, and William was employed as town crier and carried out odd jobs. Searching the Berkhamsted Local History & Museum Society Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BLHMS) under “Elliott” shows a picture of William in his town crier’s tricorn hat and a quote from “Beorcham”: “Mr. [W.T.] Elliott loved crying and claimed to have done so in 300 towns. If I close my eyes and open an imaginative ear, I can still hear ‘Lorst! A black cat with a white chest and a torn ear.'” (Berkhamsted Review, Oct 1964)

“The Town Crier

Older residents will not need reminding that the last town crier was Mr. W. Elliott, irreverently known to some as ‘Blowhard’. He was a rather striking figure in a long cloak and tricorn hat, and his activities were not limited to Berkhamsted. He claimed to have cried in nearly 300 towns, advertising such events as agricultural shows, the Dunmow Flitch, and the Olympia circus. But locally we were accustomed to hearing Mr Elliott announce ‘Water off’ or rewards for finding lost watches, dogs or cats. His voice was loud but not always clear, and his ruddy complexion assumed an even deeper hue if anyone asked ‘What was that you were saying Mr Elliott?’

In 1940 he cried in public for the last time. As a war-time precaution the ringing of handbells was limited to announcing ‘all clear’ after warning of a poison gas attack. Mr Elliott died during the war and no one was interested in succeeding him’

From The Parish Review June 1981
In and Around Berkhamsted
By ‘Beorcham’ p.4

William died in Berkhamsted 5 November 1943 aged 75.

Reginald Charles Elliott (or Newell)

d.20/10/1916

Served as R.C. Newell, Royal Naval Reserve; accidental death prior to WWI

  View CWGC record

Relatives

William T. Elliott — father

• Janice Boakes

Leading Seaman 7206/A
Royal Naval Reserve

Reginald Elliott was born in Braughing, Hertfordshire on 20th July 1895. He was one of three children born to William Thomas and Harriett Elliott, but their only surviving son as his elder brother had died in infancy. William’s father was an ironmonger.

Reginald joined the Navy on 1st March 1911, his rank was ‘Boy 2nd ‘ and he was 16 years old.  He was promoted to “Boy 1^st Class” in December. He then transferred to HMS Suspect from 16 December to 2 May 1912. Then to HMS Victory I for a short while in May 1912 and from there to HMS Venerable, a London-class battleship, until the 8 January when his record shows that he has “Run”; a man who deserted was marked R or RUN. Sometime later, probably when war had broken out, Reginald joined the army. In 1915 the Navy received an application form from Reginald stating that he was now in the Army and wished to purchase his discharge, he was informed that he would need to apply via his Commanding Officer and that his case would be favourably considered.

On 9th June 1915, Reginald joined the Royal Naval Reserves. He gave his name as Reginald Newell, but with his correct date of birth, parents names and place of birth. Although his parents were still both alive and living in Berkhamsted he interestingly gave his next of kin as Mrs Hills who he claimed was his sister. Mrs Hills’ maiden name was Georgina May Newell and she had lived as a boarder with Reginald and his family in 1901. Reginald served on board a number of ships, his last being HMS Royal Scot. The ship landed at Lerwick and Reginald was described as being severely injured. The injury occurred to his leg when a steel hawser which he was working on snapped. He was taken to hospital but died from shock following amputation in hospital.

Leading Seaman Reginald Charles Elliott died on 20th October 1916 at the age of 21. He was buried on 26 October 1916. His parents lived at 29 Victoria Road.

CWGC records

Note that there are two entries on the CWGC records for each of Reginald’s identities:

• R.C. Elliott
• R.C. Newell