Son of Mr Samuel (deceased) & Mrs Sarah Elmer
Aged 25 years
Died 19th September 1918
Commemorated at Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery, France
Grave III.C.11.
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| Born Rushden (known as Harry?) - Enlisted at Northampton |
Rushden Argus, 8th January 1915, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Private’s Mishap
Pte W H Elmer, who was recently arrested for outstaying his leave at Rushden, was tried on Tuesday morning by his Commanding Officer. His evidence was found to be true, and his doctor also sent another certificate to say that he was unable to return. He had therefore been excused from marching as his ankle is not quite sound enough yet. He had only to forfeit one days’ pay.
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The Rushden Echo, 11th October, 1918, transcribed by Jim Hollis
Rushden's Casualty List
A report was prevalent in the town last week that Driver William Horace Elmer, of the Northants Regiment, son of Mrs. S. Elmer, of 145 Queen Street, Rushden, had been killed in action, the news having been sent by a comrade. There is reason, however, to doubt the accuracy of the report, as on Saturday Mrs. Elmer received the news from Warley that he had been wounded, but that his present whereabouts are unknown. Driver Elmer is one of six brothers to have served their country, and has been in France for 3½ years. He was about the first in Rushden to join Kitchener’s Army. Two of his brothers are prisoners of war and two others have been discharged from the Colours, one being Mr. F. Elmer, the secretary of the Rushden and District National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers.
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The Rushden Echo, 25th October, 1918, transcribed by Jim Hollis
Rushden's Casualty List - Victims of the War
Mrs. S. Elmer, of 145 Queen Street, Rushden, has now received official news of the death in action of her youngest son, Driver William Horace Elmer, Northants Pioneers. The deceased soldier, who had been in France about 3½ years without receiving a wound was killed in action on September 19th. He was one of the first in Rushden to enlist in Kitchener’s Army, and is one of a family of soldier brothers, two being prisoners, viz; Corpl. Charles Elmer, Inniskilling Fusiliers, who has been in the hands of the Germans since March last, and Pte. H. Elmer, Northants Regiment, who was taken in May this year. The eldest brother, Pte. Fred Elmer, of the East Surreys, is still serving in France, and Mr. Frank Elmer was discharged from the Colours in March, 1917, after having been seriously wounded during fighting on the Somme. The latter had served his country for close upon two years.
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 Kettering Leader, 1st November 1918, transcribed by John Collins.
A Kitchener Soldier - Rushden Driver Falls in Action
Driver W. H. Elmer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer, of Queen-street, Rushden, and brother of Mr. F. Elmer, of Cromwell-road, Rushden, who is secretary of the Rushden and District Branch of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers, has been officially reported as killed in action. He belonged to a pioneer battalion, and had served 3 and a half years in France. He was probably the first from Rushden to join Kitchener’s Army. Two brothers are prisoners of war.
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