14647969 Pte Gerald Henson Elliot was born on 17^th September 1924 in Bulwell, Nottingham as the son of George Elliot and Ada Elliot (née Verity). He enlisted into The Lincolnshire Regiment on the 1st July 1943.


He successfully completed his parachute course 94/95 at R.A.F. Ringway, near Manchester, from 06 to 20 December 1943. His Parachute Instructor's comments: ‘Good worker, very keen, reliable’.

Upon completion Gerald was posted to the Holding Company, Depot School & Airborne Forces, Hardwick Hall. After that he was posted to 11th Parachute Battalion.

Nothing is known about his role at Arnhem nor whether he returned across the river, but he was amongst those still with the 11th Battalion when it was amalgamated with the 3rd Para Battalion in November 1944.

He was granted a Class ‘A’ Release on 05 July 1947.

In 1950 Gerald married Guinevere Hurst in Nottingham.

Gerald's service was not limited to his service during the war. Following the war Gerald was employed by the National Coal Board and was very active in supporting local communities through local politics in the Bulwell, Nottingham area. As well as serving as a local councillor, in 1975 and 1976 Gerald served as the Sheriff of Nottingham. Among the auspicious events he attended as Sheriff of Nottingham was the consecration of the Bishop of Sherwood in York Minster on 24^th June 1975.

Gerald died on 7^th January 1999.