William Boyd Elliott, the son of Francis Elliott, was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity at the University of Toronto where he studied Applied Science and was with the Canadian Officer Training Corps (C.O.T.C.) for 5 months before he enlisted in March 1917. The following month he was accepted as a cadet in the Royal Flying Corps and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in August 1917. Posted to France with 205 Squadron in April 1918, he scored 5 victories as a D.H.4 pilot and was promoted to Captain in June 1918.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. (T./Capt.) William Boyd Elliott.
This officer has taken part in one hundred bombing raids, in the majority of which he has been leader, a position for which he has the essential qualities in a marked degree. viz., courage, resolution, and resource. While leading one bombing raid his formation was attacked by thirty hostile machines; ten of these were destroyed, the objective was successfully bombed, and the formation returned without the loss of a machine. This brilliant success was mainly due to Captain Elliott's skilful leadership.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 2 November 1918 (30989/12964)
