TOPIC:

I previously found this probate notice for who I believed to be J W Elliott's father and interestingly it does match with the information on the back of the family photo. See what you think.
I am having trouble dropping the file in so will type it out.
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills...
"Elliott Joseph 18 June (1861)
Effects under 300 pounds of Joseph Elliott late of Northwich in the County of Chester Jeweller and watchmaker deceased who died 12 February 1861 at Leftwich in the same County was proved at Chester by the oath of Thomas Williams of Leftwich aforesaid Agent the surviving Executor."

The dates certainly match and collaborate with the profession on your photograph.
Now all we need to find is his son's connection to the Boer War........

With reference to Joseph William Elliot's wife & family.
Death of his wife 1926. Children x 2 plus 3 grandchildren.
Have I got the right family?

You definitely do have the right family. Errol was my father and his mother Hughla nee Elliott lumbered him with the name Errol William Massy Elliott Hill. He tended to truncate it to E. E. Hill.

So was Joseph around for the births and baptism??

I can only guess that he was. Unfortunately my father never spoke of his family beyond his uncle William and his siblings all of which I knew. Sadly his lack of discussion pretty much caused me to not even think he had any family. It was only when I had my DNA done a couple of years ago that I became fascinated particularly with Dad’s mysterious relatives and he had long gone. Interestingly for me my GG Grandmother, Loiusa’s mother had a very unsuccessful marriage and in fact there is lots of documentation of her taking her husband to court for maintenance. There was always a strong culture of not talking about what you disapproved of and I can only conjecture that Joseph William may have ultimately fallen into that category. I am feeling slightly discouraged about where to turn. I am wondering if the whole story of the Boer War is fiction perhaps on his or the family’s part so please feel free to call it quits if you think that may be the case. I doubt if his wife would have lied. They were all very linked in with the church and well educated. Really all conjecture. Thanks heaps for your interest. I will keep looking and certainly let you know if I discover anything. Regards
Elizabeth