Trafford

Born at Sale on the 22nd March 1884, the birth being registered during the
June quarter 1884 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/177, the son of Edwin &
Mary Elding.

1891 Census - 154 Northenden Road, Sale.   Son - aged: 7 - Scholar - born:
Sale.   Head of household - Edwin Elding - Married - aged: 64 - occ:
Traveller - born: Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire.   Also Mary Elding - Wife -
aged: 42 - born: Aberdeen, Scotland.   Plus 9 siblings, including Harry who
was also killed during WW1.

His father - Edwin Elding died in 1896, aged: 70.

1901 Census - "Fern Bank, Wythenshawe Road, Sale.  Son - aged: 17 - occ:
Grey Cloth Apprentice - born:Sale.  Head of household - Mary Elding - Widow
- aged: 53 - born: Scotland.   Plus 3 elder siblings.

1911 Census - Canada ???    His family were residing at 38 Whitelow Road,
Chorlton, Manchester.   Head of household - Mary Elding - Widow - aged: 63
- born: Aberdeen, Scotland.  Plus 5 siblings, including Harry Elding also
kiled during WW1.

He originally enlisted at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, into the 210th
O.B.C.E.F. on the 16th March 1916.    His address was given as 616
Athabasca Street East, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.   His occupation -
Butcher.    His attestation form states that he was not serving in any
military force, but had previously served for 13 years in the Imperial
Service, Lancashire Fusiliers.    The form is then annotated with
"Discharged to take Commissioned Rank with effect from 15th October 1916".

He re-enlisted at Moose Jaw, on the 16th October 1916.   Again, his address
was given as 616 Athabasca Street East, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.  
His occupation - Butcher.   This time it states that he was already serving
with the 60th Rifles of Canada and had previously served for 13 years in
the Imperial Service, Lancashire Fusiliers.

At the time of his enlistment, he was 32 years of age, he was 5 feet 3¾
inches in height, with a chest measurement of 36½/2½ inches.   His
complexion was - Fresh, Eyes - Blue, Hair - Brown.     He was married
(probably in Canada - no trace UK BMD's) and was listed as Church of
England.     He had a Rose & Sailor and Union Jacks tattoos on front right
forearm.

Commemorated on the family gravestone in Sale Cemetery - E.1660.

His brother, Harry Elding, also died on active service.