Eli was a member of the Somerset Light Infantry in the British Forces during WWI. He was born in Compton Dunden, Somerset, England on 5 October 1896.
He was the second youngest surviving child. Although Eli’s grandfather owned a farm, Eli’s father worked as a stone mason to supplement the farm income. Eli arrived in Western Australia with his brother Arthur. Arthur and Eli later joined the British Forces during WWI.
When Eli joined up he commenced training with his regiment. Fate stepped in and Eli was taken ill with pleurisy and the rest of the regiment embarked for the front. Of the entire regiment that Eli had been assigned to first - only 2 soldiers survived to return to Britain.

Eli was instead sent to India to supervise the purchase of grain. He was to remain here for the entirety of the war, so did not see service in a hostile location, and neither did his brother Arthur.
Following the war he married Flossie at Langport, Somerset in March 1921.
Flossie Violet May nee FEVIN (c1896-1971) Born in Somerton, England c1896.
Married Eli Attwell (1896- 1991) in March 1921 in Langport, Somerset, England.
After the war Flossie arrived in Australia and fell in love with the country - she never wished to return to England.
They had three children, Rosie Beatrice who married Stan Carpenter, Nancy, who married Ray Smith, and Margaret Patricia.
Eli found employment with Bill Gaze and Stan was working at Owen Gaze’s property about 5 kilometres away.
He also worked for 17 years for the Formby family.
Eli was a member of the VDC in Gnowangerup during WWII.
Flossie passed away on 9 May 1971 aged 75 years (Gnowangerup Cemetery Anglican Section Grave No. 130)
Eli passed away on 2 October 1991, aged 94 years at the Fremantle Hospital.
He is also buried in the Anglican Section at the Gnowangerup Cemetery, Grave Number 128A.