William “Sandy” Elton (Royal Navy)
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William Elton at the H.M. Wireless Station between 1915 to 1919 Image courtesy of Peter Kelsey |
Date of Birth: 2 January 1893
Place of Birth: Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Date of Death: 21 November 1971, St. John’s
Burial Place: General Protestant Cemetery - St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
ID: 150892
Enlistment Date: 2 February 1915
Served at HM Wireless Station: 1915 to 1918
Position:Engine Room Artificer
Rank: Chief Petty Officer
Appearance (as described in Service Record).
Height: 5’5”
Eyes: Blue
Complexion: Fresh
Chest measurement: 36 1/2
Early Life
William Elton was born on January 2nd, 1893, in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was born the third of five children to William Newman Elton and Agnes MacDougall. His parents married on December 4th, 1888, in their hometown of Rutherglen. His father was a gardener and a domestic servant. William had 4 Siblings: Mary (b~1889) Thomas (b~1891), James (b~ 1896) and the youngest Gordon (b~ 1899).
Life at the H.M Wireless Station
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Naval Record of William Elton showing date of enlistment. Image courtesy of the National Archives UK |
William enlisted in the navy in 1915. While stationed at the H.M. Wireless Station in Mount Pearl (1915 to 1918), William worked as an engine room artificer (engine mechanic) maintaining the station’s telegraph equipment.
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Joseph Sidney Kelsey about 1914-1915 image source: Unknown |
While stationed in Mount Pearl, William made numerous friendships. One such friendship was with shipwright 4th class, Joseph Sidney Kelsey. Joseph Kelsey and William were lifelong friends and brothers-in-law, both marrying the daughters of Charles Frederick Lester.
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Alice Lester (1894-1968) Image courtesy of the Kelsey Scott Collection |
While working at the H.M. Wireless Station, William met Alice Lester of St. John’s. The couple married on July 6th, 1917, in St. John’s at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (The Kirk).
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The marriage registration of William Elton(Elban) and Alice Lester From Newfoundland, Canada, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1850 - 1949 Accessed on Ancestry.ca |
Following the war, William worked for a short time at H.M.S. Vivid, an onshore naval training facility in Portsmouth. His unit was demobilized on November 16th, 1919. William then returned to St. John’s in 1920, from Liverpool on the R.M.S. Empress of Canada. He permanently made his home in St. John’s upon his return.
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Canada Arriving Passengers List (1865-1935) showing Williams arrival to St John’s in 1915. Image Accessed at Ancestry.ca |
For his efforts in the First World War, William received the British War Medal, given to all soldiers for their service. He also accepted the Victory Medal (Inter-Allied War Medal) often given with the British War Medal.
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R.M.S. Empress of Canada Image Accessed at Great Ships.ca |
Personal Life
In the years following the war, William and his wife Alice moved to 55 Hamilton Avenue, a dwelling that no longer exists on the west end of St. John’s. During this time, they had four children: Agnes MacDougall Elton (b. 17 March 1919), Charles Fredrick Lester Elton (b. 17 September 1921), Dorothy Lester Elton (b. 25 March 1925) and Anna Marguerite Elton (b. 25 March 1930).
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Death Register for Dorothy Lester Elton 1925 to 1929 Acessed at Anscestry.ca |
On May 10th, 1929, William and Alice’s second daughter, Dorothy, died at the age of 5. The cause of death was an intestinal infection known as peritonitis. This disease caused a lengthy illness which would have led to sepsis and organ failure, causing her premature death. Dorothy is buried with her parents, in the family plot, in the General Protestant Cemetery on Waterford Bridge Road, in St. John’s.
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The lot where 136 Hamilton Avenue once stood. Photo Courtesy of Bryan Poirier |
Sometime after their daughter's death, William and Alice moved their family to 136 Hamilton Avenue. William continued to live at this address until his death.
Later Career
Upon his return to St. John’s, William became a businessman. In 1922, much like his brother Gordon Elton, owner of Colonial Car Parts, William opened a garage and one of the first Dodge car dealerships in Canada named Royal Garage Limited.
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Royal Garage Limited Photo Courtesy of Dodge City |
His business was met with great success. Along with the St. John’s location near his home on 136 Hamilton Avenue, William also owned branches in Harbour Grace, Salt Pond, Burin and Clarenville.
The garage is still in use today but is now known as Dodge city. Until recently the car dealership was owned by William’s grandson Charles Lester Elton, who passed away on 9 May 2020. The garage and car dealership were put up for sale and was bought by Steele Auto Group on 8 February 2021.
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Royal Garage Limited in the late 1960's on Hamilton Ave. Source: Unknown |
Due to the great success of their businesses, both William and his brother Gordon were honored posthumously by the city of St. John’s. They were memorialized for their efforts in enriching the business sector of the city; a street named Elton Place was named in their memory.
Death
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Gravestone of William Elton, Alice(Lester)Elton and Dorothy Elton Image courtesy of FindAGrave.ca |
William died of a stroke on 21 November 1971, at the age of 78. He was predeceased by his wife Alice (Lester) Elton in 1968 and his five-year-old daughter, Dorothy Lester Elton in 1929.18 He was survived by his children Agnes MacDougall Elton (b.1919 to d.2005) Charles Frederick Lester Elton (b.1921 to d.1998) and Anna Marguerite (Elton) Morris (b. 1930 to d.2011) as well as several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Family Tree
Parents
1.William Elton (b. 18 Feb 1861- d. 24 Mar 1922)
Worked as a Domestic Servant and Gardener.
Agnes MacDougall (b. 31 Jan 1863- d. 28 Nov 1930)
Siblings
Mary Elton (b.~1889)
Thomas Elton (b.~ 1891)
James Elton (b.~ 1896)
Gordon Elton (b.~1899)
Spouse.
2. Alice (Lester) Elton (b.12 Jul 1864 - d.15 Aug 1968).
Children
Agnes Macdougall Elton (b. 17 March 1919- d.13 February 2005)
Charles Frederick Lester Elton (b. 17 September 1921- d. 1 July 1998)
Dorothy Lester Elton (b. 25 March 1925- d 10 February 1929.)
Anna Marguerite (Elton) (b. 25 March 1930- d.10 August 2011)
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