Alexander McKenzie Elliott (1921-1947)

Second World War Roll of Honour

Alexander McKenzie Elliott was born in Dundee on 23 November 1921, the son of Robert Elliott, an insurance official, and Davina (nee McKenzie), later of 29 Hazelwood Road, Smithhills, Bolton in Lancashire. He was educated at Hull Grammar School, 1930-7, and Bolton School from January 1938. He was School Captain in his final year at Bolton School and represented Chorley House in Athletics, Gymnastics, Cricket and Football. He was awarded School Colours in Athletics and Gymnastics and acted in 1939 and 1940 school dramatic productions. He matriculated at Downing College in 1940 studying Medicine and was awarded a College Prize and Exhibition after obtaining a first class in his Natural Sciences Preliminary examinations at the end of his first year.

Alec, as he was known to family and friends, was a very active member of College life at Downing. He spoke in the Freshers Debate in his first term and was a member of the Dramatic Society, becoming President of the Medical Society before the end of his first year. He represented the College and University in Athletics (Hurdles), for which he was awarded a Half-Blue, and was President of the Athletics Club, Medical Society and Dramatic Society in his second year. He also rowed in the 3rd and 4th Boats in 1941 and 1942, edited the College magazine, ‘The Griffin’, and was Assistant Secretary of the College Amalgamated Club. After completing two years at Downing and passing his Pharmacology examination in October 1942, he progressed to the clinical stage of his studies at Manchester Royal Infirmary, gaining a scholarship and qualifying in December 1945.

Alec was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps on 30 November 1946 and completed parachute training on 14 March 1947. He was posted to the Royal Army Medical Corps Depot at Crookham before being attached to the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in Palestine.

Lieutenant Elliott was killed on active service in a road accident in Haifa on 7 October 1947, aged 25, and is buried at Khayat Beach War Cemetery.

Sources

Obituaries in ‘The Griffin’, Michaelmas 1947 and ‘The Boltonian’ magazine, December 1947.

Image

Alec Elliott (3rd from left, front) with Bolton School Monitors, 1939-40 (courtesy of Bolton School Archives).

Alexander McKenzie Elliot at Bolton School 1939-40