Thomas Harold Elliot was born in Sarnia on May 29, 1918, the son of Thomas Herman Elliot (born in Exeter, Ontario) and Ethel (nee Holt), born in Stephen, Huron, Ontario) Elliot, of 212 Cromwell Street, Sarnia. Thomas’s father, Thomas Herman, was employed in the Pumping Department at Sarnia Imperial Oil Refinery. Thomas Harold had one brother, Elmer Bruce, born 1915, who would later be a member of the reserve army. Thomas Harold received his education at Sarnia public schools and Sarnia Collegiate. While at Sarnia Collegiate, he played WOSSA rugby and was also a member of the gymnastic team. He was on the executive of the Boys’ Athletic Committee and was a member of the Editorial Staff of the Collegiate Magazine. In his last year at school he was Quartermaster Cadet Lieutenant of the High School Cadets. Graduating from Sarnia Collegiate in 1937, he was employed on the construction of the Blue Water Bridge. Prior to enlisting, Thomas was employed in the Machine Shoe Department with the Sarnia Imperial Oil Refinery.

Thomas enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in April 1942, and was stationed at the Manning Depot at Toronto. He received his training at Fingal, Crumlin and St. Catharine’s, where he graduated in late June 1943 as a Sergeant Bombardier. After graduating, he would spend a short leave at home in Sarnia with his friends and family. Thomas arrived overseas in July 1943, and received his operational training in England. He become a member of RCAF #192 Squadron, flying on Halifax bombers, and was promoted to Flight-Sergeant in March, 1944.

Less than one year after arriving overseas, on April 25, 1944, Thomas Elliot was a member aboard Halifax bomber aircraft LW622 that went missing during a special night bombing raid over Karlsruhe, Germany. Several days later, parents Thomas Herman and Ethel in Sarnia would receive a telegram from the R.C.A.F. Casualty Officer in Ottawa stating, Deeply regret to advise you that your son, R112975, Sergeant Thomas Harold Elliot, is reported missing after air operations April 25. Letter follows. The message was a shock to his parents, since he had never once mentioned taking part in any raid in his letters home. They had heard, however, from friends overseas, that he had been flying. On checking Canadian Press dispatches, the Elliot parents suspected that he may have been lost on an attack launched on Karlsruhe on April 24-25, in which 30 British aircraft were lost, including eight Canadian planes.

Sometime after being reported missing, Thomas Elliot would be promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer. In early February 1945, Thomas Herman and Ethel would receive a telegram from R.C.A.F. authorities informing them that their son, Flight Sergeant Thomas Elliot, missing since April 25, 1944, is now for official purposes presumed dead. Perishing with Thomas Elliot were FS. P.H.G. Vincent; F/O.s C.W. Crowdy and L.L Mortimer; P/O F.W. Morris; Sgt.s F. Etienne and D. Parkin (RAF); and FS. M.C. Wilmer (RAF). Thomas Elliot would later be officially listed as, Previously reported missing after air operations, now for official purposes, presumed dead, overseas (Germany). Twenty-six year old Pilot Officer-Bomb Aimer Thomas Elliot is buried in Schoonselhof Cemetery, Belgium, Grave IVa.D.39. On Thomas Elliot’s headstone are inscribed the words, Beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Elliot, Sarnia, Ont., Canada.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, M, N, O, S, 2C, 2D