Elliot was killed in action on 7 June 1917 on the first day of the Battle of Messines. The war diary for the day is transcribed below and Elliot died during the events described therein, It should be noted that at times the diary does not make sense and that there is at least one page missing leaving a gap in the transcription:-

Diependaal Right Sub-Sector 1917-June-7: Assembly was completed by 12-45am on Zero day and took place quickly, without hitch or casualty. The men were very quite (sic) dark and very misty. In addition there was a wind from the east and this carried the smoke, dust and gas from the mines. As Companies advanced they found they had to pass through parties of Engineers and Pioneers which has been assembled behind the leading Battalion.

4.45am: Battn HQ reached the Red Line and got into touch with the Brigade forward station. From the Battn HQ Scouts it was learnt that the advance was going well. There was little hostile shelling. As the advance through Grand Bois progressed more & more sections got lost and by the time the barrage had reached the Blue Line there were many gaps. These were filled by the second wave and there was a fairly complete line at 4.50am.

4.50am: When the barrage lifted off the Blue Line, this, the first objective allotted to the Battn, was taken. A good many Germans killed and wounded with the bayonet and many more sent back as prisoners. The ? the old German trench on the edge of the wood during this time a message came from Brigade. The explanation given by Officers in the front line is that certain men of the 56^th Brigade passed through their places in our front line barrage and patrolled the ridge to the NW of Onraet Wood. The mist of the early morning had now risen and the advance from the Blue Line was begun in sunshine.

GREEN LINE - 7.20am: The Green Line was taken at scheduled time, although information was a long time coming in from the Coys. Bn HQ moved forward from Red Line at about 8-10am and took over the position established by the BN forward command party in Onraet Farm. The left of our front line and Onraet Wood were shelled intermittently during the morning but very little damage was done, no casualties caused.

7.50am: The 57^th Bde passed through us at 7.50am to the capture of the Black Line [at this stage we believe a page is missing from the diary] … be given. The reconnaissance and relief had to be completed by 3-0pm as the 57^th Bde were to advance to Black Line at 3.10pm. Confirmation of these orders was received at 3.10pm and 4.12pm

BLACK LINE 2.55pm: The relief was carried out by 2.55pm and location report was wired to the Bde by 5.00pm. At 6.20pm further confirmation was received from Bde and further report was sent at 6.23pm. All the Bde’s message referred to in App X had reached us. Consequent on receipt of those orders (App X) from the Bde, the 9^th R.W.F came up to the Black Line on our right and the 6^th Wilts moved up to the Green Line. Both the HQ’s of these Battns settled in Onraet Farm.

9.40pm: A message was received ordering a carrying party of 120 men to report at HQ’s 57^th Bde at Bois Carre. This party was used for carrying rations and stores to the Battns of 57^th Brigade in the Oosttaverne Line. Lieut E. Simcock reported his arrival. END