Keith Elliott
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Keith Elliott (1916 - 1989) was a New Zealand recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 26 years old, and a Sergeant in the 22nd Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the Second World War when he performed the deed that gained him the Victoria Cross.
[edit] Battle at Ruweisat
Front row, Sg. J.D. Hinton, Lt. K. Elliott, Cpt. C.H. Upham, Sg. A.C. Hulme, Cpt. S. Frickleton, Lt. J.G. Grant
On 15 July 1942 at Ruweisat, Western Desert, Egypt, Sergeant Elliott, while leading his platoon in an attack under heavy machine-gun and mortar fire, was wounded in the chest. Nevertheless, he carried on and led his men in a bayonet charge which resulted in the capture of four enemy machine-gun posts and an anti-tank gun. Seven of the enemy were killed and 50 taken prisoner. In spite of his wounds Sergeant Elliott refused to leave his platoon until he had reformed them and handed over the prisoners, the number of which had by then increased to 130.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the QEII Army Memorial Museum, Waiouru, New Zealand.
[edit] External links
- Elliott K.
- Sergeant Keith Elliott
- New Zealand Troops who have won the Victoria Cross (brief biography details)
