Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

Intelligence Officer, Intelligence Section, Headquarters, 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

December 8th, 1945

Citation:
"On the morning of 26 February 1945 battalion headquarters of The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada was in a most precarious position.It had moved into an area which had been reported cleared of enemy only to find it held by over one hundred paratroopers. The commanding officer was killed by small arms fire, and his vehicle, a kangeroo, which also carried the Intelligence Officer, Corporal Elliott of the Intelligence Section, was twice hit by Bazooka fire which wouded everybody in is and set it on fire. Corporal Elliott saw that immidiate action was necessary and, although wounded, he proceeded to evacuate the wounded men to a shelter of a barn. He also removed all the maps and codes from the burning vehicle and placed them with the casualties. While trying to send a wireless message explaining the situation he saw several small parties of enemy moving forward towards the wounded men. He promptly dismounted a Browning machinegun form the burning kangeroo and drove the enemy away. Time and again the enemy came back but were driven away by his accurate fire. One enemy officer managed to get into the barn near which the casualties and the documents were lying and started to shoot his pistol at the casualties. Corporal Elliott left his fire position, dashed into the barn over the open bullet swept ground and killed him. Whenever the battle permitted he visited his wounded officer and men to chear them up.

Corporal Elliott's gallant actions took place during the attack of 6 Canadian Infantry Brigade on Luisendorf. If he had faltered in his actions for a moment the enemy would undoubtedly have gained a very strong position in the centre of the battalion area and much valuable information from the maps and codes which had been removed form the Commander's vehicle.

The conduct of this non-commisioned officer on this day was characteristic of his gallantry and fearlesness displayed throughout the campaign in the Netherlands."

Royal decree no. 2, dd. 8-12-1945