Elisha Omar was born on the 3rd of September 1885 in Hasland, Chesterfield. His mother was Hannah Omar [born 1853]. Elisha had several siblings: Emma Omar [born 1874], Walter Omar [born 1876], Priscilla Omar [born 1877], Annie Omar [born 1880], Alfred Omar [born 1888] and Mary H Omar [born 1890].

Elisha worked at Tilley Colliery in Chesterfield prior to his military service.

He joined the Navy on the 25th of July 1904 on short service as a seaman. He served on the Firequeen in 1906, then the Formidable, the Montague, the Victory I, the Prince George, the Victory I again in 1907, the Drake and finally the Victory I again in July 1909.

In August 1909 he was discharged from the Navy for being medically unfit.

On the 18th of December 1909 Elisha married Elizabeth Dowspring. They had a daughter named Doris Omar [born 1911]. Elisha returned to work as a coal miner.

On the 9th of November 1914 Elisha joined the army, as part of the Sherwood Foresters Regiment.