This recent photograph of Elliot was taken at his home in a relaxed and reflective mood and both his family and friends felt it captured him very well
Loving tributes were paid to ‘free spirit’ Elliot Wilson, a landscape gardener from Chelmsford, who died aged 24, after a tragic accident.
Elliot’s family and his girlfriend spoke this week about the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him, with a character that combined a deep love of the natural world with a strong empathy for people.
Outdoor life, music and art were all important aspects of Elliott’s life. His parents, Kevin and Jan Wilson, from Ashford Road, Chelmsford, brother Daniel, 22, sister Anna, 18 and his partner Anna Frost are supporting each other in trying to come to terms with Elliot’s death after an accident in Burnham on a ride-on mower.
Elliott always loved the outdoors and had worked in his job as a landscape gardener for three years,
said his father. “He had a great knowledge of animals and plants and was interested in everything akin to nature. He was not a person who enjoyed being confined and liked things that were unusual and exotic. His personality was not conventional and he was really a free spirit.”
“Although he loved nature, he was not a loner, but was a very sociable person. People who met him instantly liked him and he seemed to establish a connection with them very quickly.”
Elliott was born in Rochford and came to Chelmsford at the age of eight. He was a pupil at Westlands primary school and then Hylands school. He was a member of the 1st Chelmsford Scouts, but also spent a short time with the army cadets. he went on to study at Writtle College.
Achieving his ambition to work outdoors, Elliott was proud of his work as a landscape gardener and was designing his own garden at his home in Chelmsford where he lived with his girlfriend, Anna Frost. She said: ” Elliott was always very conscientious and concerned about health and safety and was very dedicated and committed to everything he did. He loved heavy metal music, was a very skilled guitarist and was also a very artistic and philosophical person.”
Elliott’s sister Anna said: “He had so many friends and always had respect for others. His character was unique, as he was down to earth and humorous but also sensitive and imaginative.”
His mother Jan said: “Elliott was such a special person and the support shown by his friends has been a great comfort to us.”
Donations in Elliot’s memory are being made to the Lake District Search and Rescue Association and Essex Air Ambulance, which took him to hospital after his accident. His funeral service was held on Monday July 19 at St Mary’s church in Widford at 11.00 am.
reprinted from the Essex Chronicle 15 July 2004
Postscript – The Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association are very grateful to all those who donated to our charity. In total we received cheques to the value of £632.70 which will be put towards operational costs of the 12 rescue teams based within the Lake District.