Roland Edward Elcock VC MM

b. 05/06/1899 Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. d. 06/10/1944 Dehra Dun, India.

Roland Edward Elcock (1899-1944) was born on 5th June 1899 at 52 Alma Street, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. His father, George Henry Elcock, born at Stourbridge, Worcestershire, was an iron bundler in 1871 and a general labourer in 1881, living with his mother. He married Fanny Johnstone nee Jones in 1888 in Wolverhampton, where she was born. Roland had five siblings.

Roland was educated at Causeway Lake School, Wolverhampton. He was employed as a clerk in the office of Alderman J Whitaker at the Labour Assembly Rooms, Queen Square, Wolverhampton. He enlisted in 6th South Staffordshire in October 1914 and went to France on 28th June 1915. When it was discovered that he was underage, he was sent home and discharged. Roland worked for the Corporation Electricity Works, Wolverhampton, until he re-enlisted. He enlisted with 11th Royal Scots in June 1917 and served in France and Belgium.

Roland E Elcock VC MM

He first was awarded the Military Medal, before his heroic actions in France earned him the Victoria Cross. On 15th October 1918, south-east of Capelle-St. Catherine, France, Corporal Elcock was in charge of a Lewis gun team, and entirely on his own initiative he rushed his gun up to within 10 yards of enemy guns which were causing heavy casualties and holding up the advance. He put both guns out of action, capturing five prisoners and undoubtedly saved the whole attack from being held up. Later, near the River Lys, this NCO again attacked an enemy machine-gun and captured the crew.

When an Express and Star journalist had the honour of conveying the news to Mrs Elcock that her son, Lance Corporal Roland Elcock, had just become the first and only Wolverhampton man to be awarded the Victoria Cross in World War One, she was “overjoyed at the good news”. However, it seems that the family had had some inkling of what was to come. In one of his recent letters home, he had written: “You ask me what I have been doing to get recommended again. Well, if I tell, you will fairly guess what I am going to get for it. So I will leave it till the decoration comes out. I am expecting the D.C.M., but, as rumours go in the battalion, I am in for the V.C. So I hope I get it.”

On Elcock’s return to Wolverhampton, he was greeted at the High Level Station by thousands of citizens, including the Mayor and other civic dignitaries. Described by the Wolverhampton Chronicle on 5th February 1919 as “modesty personified”, he “did not wish to talk about one of the most remarkable exploits of the war. He was content to let the official record speak for itself.” The streets were lined with cheering and waving, and people shaking Elcock by the hand. In response to the civic reception, Elcock stated, “I thank you very much for the way you have welcomed me home. Wolverhampton is my home, and I appreciate it very much. But in winning this great distinction, I have only done my duty to my King and country.” He received his VC from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 13th February 1919.

Roland returned to work for the Wolverhampton Corporation Electricity Department. He attended the VC Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 26th June 1920 and was one of the Honour Guard at the burial of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey on 11th November 1920. He moved to India, where he joined the Superior Telegraph Engineering Branch, Posts & Telegraph Service on 23rd November 1923. He became an Assistant Divisional Engineer of North West Frontier Province and the same appointment in the Punjab in October 1932, Burma in 1934 and of the Punjab & North West Frontier Province in 1937. He was promoted to Divisional Engineer of North West Frontier Province in 1940. While employed in Calcutta a rifle he was using jammed and a cartridge exploded in his face. An immediate operation saved his eyesight and prevented any lasting damage.

Roland married Amelia Rowe at Holborn Register Office, London on 7th July 1933. They were both living in a hotel in Bloomsbury, London at the time. They had a daughter, June, born in March 1934, when they lived in Wolverhampton. She travelled with her mother to India in 1936.

He later achieved the rank of Major in the British Indian Army during World War II, dying at Dehra Dun, India, on 6th October 1944. He was buried in St Thomas’ Churchyard, Dehra Dun. He is commemorated with Roland Elcock House in Wolverhampton, in the Book of Remembrance and VC memorial at the Civic Centre, Wolverhampton, with a VC commemorative stone dedicated at the Cenotaph, Wolverhampton on 15th October 2018. He also has a VC stone placed at the Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh.

In addition to his VC and MM, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-19, George V Silver Jubilee Medal 1935 and George VI Coronation Medal 1937. His daughter sold the medals to help with her mother’s expenses. They were purchased by Major General Reginald Johnstone at Christie’s on behalf of the Royal Scots for £650 on 18th February 1958. The medals are held at the Museum of the Royal Scots, Edinburgh Castle.

LOCATION OF MEDAL: ROYAL SCOTS MUSEUM, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.

BURIAL PLACE: ST THOMAS’ CHURCHYARD, DEHRA DUN, INDIA.