Harold 'Pompey' Elliott interrupted his studies at the University of Melbourne to fight in the South African War in 1900-02. Returning to the University, he added academic prizes to his military honours (he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and was mentioned in dispatches). He graduated in law with the Supreme Court prize for the top student.

Elliott continued in the army and commanded a battalion at Gallipoli, where he was wounded on the day of the landing. Promoted to brigadier-general, he commanded an Australian brigade in France. A fiery and sometimes impetuous officer, he won great loyalty from his troops, but his relations with the higher command were strained. Elliott laboured under a growing grievance that he had not been properly rewarded despite fighting in a string of major battles since 1916.

Remaining in the part-time militia after the war ended, Elliott campaigned for the promotion he believed was his due, and resumed practice as a lawyer. He was a member of the Australian Senate from 1919.

Still oppressed by perceived injustices despite honours that included promotion to major-general, Elliott committed suicide in 1931. Part of the tragedy of his post-war life was that, to most, his record was of great and recognised achievement that only he could not see.