WILFRED SIDNEY ELMER
Born: 7th November 1896, Norwich, Norfolk.
Baptised on the 4th April 1897, at St. Philip’s Church, Heigham, Norfolk – family home at 5, Edinburgh Road, Norwich, Norfolk.
Died: 14th January 1916; age 19; KiA by a rifle grenade from the enemy’s trenches.
Evening Star – Friday, 28th January 1916 – AN IPSWICH SNIPER – Mr. Sidney and Mrs. Bessie Elmer, of 14, Cromwell Street, Ipswich, have received the following letter from Captain Harold Pretty, of the 4th Suffolks: “I read of your son’s death with the greatest regret. I knew Sergeant Wilfred Elmer first three years ago as a boy of 16, when he joined the 4th Suffolk Regiment, and remember the keenness he showed in shooting, and the marvellous results he attained when competing with men who had made shooting a lifetime study. The coolness and accuracy with which he always shot on the range was even more marked in the firing line. These qualities, together with an infinite patience in watching for a target at a likely point, often for hours, made him one of the best snipers in the battalion. It is not always that the prize-shooter can adapt himself to war conditions, but I should like you to know that your son had the grit and pluck to enable him to use to the best advantage what he had practised under peace conditions. Many comrades, officers, and men will esteem his memory. I offer you my sincerest sympathy in a loss that I myself feel very deeply.”
Residence: 14, Cromwell Street, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Date of Entry Therein: 8th November 1914.
Wilfred was wounded in March 1915:
E.A.D.T. – Wednesday, 17th March 1915 – A field service postcard received by Mr. Sidney G. Elmer, of 14, Cromwell Street, Ipswich, states that his son, Corporal Wilfred S. Elmer, has been admitted to hospital wounded, and is going on well.
Rank: Lance Sergeant; Service Number: 1609
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.
E.A.D.T. – Friday, 21st January 1916 – THREE IPSWICH SOLDIERS BURIED – At a cemetery in France on Sunday were interred the remains of Lance Corporal Wilfred Sidney Elmer, a single man, of 14, Cromwell Street, Lance Corporal Albert Edward Pallant, a married man, of Bramford Lane, and Private Robert Powell, a single man, of Tooley Street, three Ipswich members of the 4th Suffolks, who were killed in action by a rifle grenade from the enemy’s trenches on the 14th January. The English Burial Service was rendered at the graveside, and the graves will be turfed and properly marked by their comrades. The case of the married man is made even sadder by the fact that his period of service would have expired in a fortnight, and he would have been sent back to his wife and family. All three had won the highest reputation as good soldiers – men who always did their duty, and were an excellent example to their comrades. Private A. C. Gage was on Saturday removed to hospital, wounded.
Grave Reference:
26.
Pas de Calais,
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Eldest son of Sidney George & Bessie Elmer, of 14, Cromwell Street, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1901 5, Edinburgh Road, West Wymer, Norfolk.
Wilfred was 4 years old and living with his parents, brother & paternal aunt.
Sidney George Elmer, 25, an Agent, Mercantile Office, born Norwich, Norfolk.
Bessie Elmer (nee Cove), 25, born Rougham, Norfolk.
Geoffrey Lewis Elmer, 1, born Norwich.
Edith Elmer, 29, a Teacher of Music – own accountant, born Norwich.
1911 14, Cavendish Street, Ipswich.
Wilfred was 14 years old, an Office Boy. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Sidney, 35, an Accountant – own account.
Bessie, 35.
Geoffrey, 11.
Winifred Dorothy Elmer, 8, born Norwich.
Cecil Horace Elmer, 5, born Norwich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Sidney George Elmer – father.
Wilfred is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Nicholas Church, Ipswich.
Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion:
Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
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