ELLIOTT, Joseph

Next of Kin: Eleanor Rose Elliott, Goderich, Ontario

Occupation: Presbyterian Minister

Personal Details: 5 ft. 10 1/2 in., medium complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, Presbyterian

Joseph Elliott was born in Bayfield, Ontario, son of Thomas Elliott, and husband of Eleanor Rose Esson.  He attended Galt Collegiate Institute, and the University of Toronto, where he received his BA at University College 1883-87, and did his post-graduate degree at Knox College.  Reverend Joseph Elliott served in the Presbyterian Ministry, first in the communities of Nairn and Beechwood in Middlesex County, and later in Goderich as minister of Knox Presbyterian Church.  The Clinton New Era of December 7, 1911 reported Joseph Elliott, retired minister, ran as the Conservative candidate in the Centre Huron provincial election.  He was unsuccessful in this attempt, but soon received an appointment as emigration agent for the Dominion Government in Glasgow, Scotland, as reported in the Clinton New Era of February 15, 1912.

Reverend Joseph Elliott enlisted in late 1915 and sailed for England on November 23rd.  He was appointed a Captain, Canadian Chaplain Service, and attached to the 9th Canadian Mounted Rifles at their training centre at Shorncliffe, and in February 1916 he was temporarily attached to the Canadian Army Service Corps at Bramshott.  He proceeded overseas in June 1916 to serve as Chaplain to the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade in the Ypres Salient and the Somme.  Captain Elliott returned to England in mid-November 1916 where he was detailed for duty with Canadian Convalescent Hospitals at Hastings.  He was appointed Senior Chaplain in June 1917, first to the Canadian Machine Gun Depot at Crowborough and then with Canadian Railway troops at Purfleet. 

In January 1918 Captain Elliott became the Chaplain to No. 4, University of Toronto General Hospital located at Basingstoke, England.  Shortly after his arrival he was admitted as a patient, suffering from bronchitis and emphysema, but returned to duty after a month-long sick leave.  He was admitted again in November 1918 with a mild case of influenza.  In June 2019 a medical review board found Captain Elliott suffering from bronchitis and arteriosclerosis, recurring coughs and colds, and easily fatigued.  He returned to Canada in early July 1919 where he was admitted to St. Andrews Military Hospital, Toronto.  He was granted leaves in July and August, but by September returned to hospital where his condition steadily worsened.  He died on December 12, 1919 with his wife Eleanor by his bedside.  The cause of his death was determined to be leukemia and respiratory failure.

Captain Elliott’s only son, John Esson Campbell Elliott, who served with the Royal Horse Artillery in the British forces, returned to Canada on December 27, 1919, just days after his father’s death.