Village in tribute to remarkable war hero
SIDDINGTON church is hosting a special memorial service in honour of a remarkable soldier and former villager who died in battle 100 years ago.
Lieutenant Colonel Wilfrith Elstob, the son of the former vicar of Siddington, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery at the Battle of Manchester Hill in France in 1918.
According to news reports, Elstob fought bravely to defend ‘ Manchester Hill’ in one of the final stands made by the British Army, contributing to the delay of the German advance.
He instructed his company of men that they must defend their position “to the last round and to the last man, here we fight and here we die”.
Single-handedly he repulsed one bombing assault, driving back the enemy and inflicting severe casualties.
And later, when ammunition was required, he made several journeys under severe fire to replenish supplies.
Three times wounded he showed disregard for his own safety, and encouraged and inspired those under his command, shouting “you are doing magnificently boys”, until he was shot dead while throwing hand grenades at the enemy.
By then, Elstob’s company were completely surrounded by German forces and most of his men were also killed, with the few survivors captured.
Despite an intensive search after the war ended, Lt-Col Elstob’s body was not found, and it is likely that it was stripped of any identification and buried in an unmarked grave at the site of the battle.
Wilfrith was born in September 1888, the same year his father, Canon John Elstob, became the parish priest at All Saints Church, Siddington and the family came to live in the village.
A former student at the The Ryleys School in Alderley Edge and Manchester University, he joined the Sixth Battalion of the Manchester Regiment when the First World War started in August 1914. He was then commissioned as an officer into the 16th Battalion, formed by men of Manchester and which became well known as ‘The Old Pals Battalion’.
He fought in many battles during the horrific conflict including the Passchendaele Offensive, and was also honoured with the Military Cross and Distinguished Service Order.
The Victoria Cross was presented to Wilfrith’s father by King George V in July 1919 at Buckingham Palace. The citation for his award stated: “For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and self- sacrifice during operations at Manchester Redoubt”.
A service at All Saints Church in Siddington, will commemorate 100 years since his death on March 21, 1918.
The Rev Ian Arch, the current Vicar of Siddington, said it the special service will go some way to honouring the sacrifice and bravery of the former villager.
He said: “He was an incredibly brave gentleman and a son of Siddington. It is a privilege to us that we should join together and honour his name”.
To coincide with the service, All Saints Church has restored the Elstob family grave in the churchyard. The service will be held at 10am on Sunday (March 25).