William “Bill” Elliott migrated to Australia in 1883 with his parents and brother Charles. William is the younger brother of Charles John Elliott who also made his First Grade debut for Wests in 1908. The Elliott boys became painters, and from Bill’s military record it was evident that he was apprenticed to a Mr Chessell of Ashfield.
It was at Ashfield where Bill and Charlie learned their football. In the early days this was with the Ashfield Buccaneers Rugby Union Club. They moved on to the Ashfield Borough team (effectively a Third Grade side). In 1907, they played with the Ashfield Rugby Union team that was in the Sydney Second Grade competition.
