Military History

Ernest is listed as being killed in action on 27th April 1917. The 5th Battalion war diary entries for the 25th to the 28th April are transcribed below.

The Harp & Wancourt – 25 Apr 1917: Battalion in the Harp Trenches. At 6pm today the Battn moved from here to support in trenches in neighbourhood of Wancourt relieving a Battalion (9^th Durham L.I.) of the 151^st Brigade.

A Coy, B Coy & 2 platoons of D Coy in trenches. C Coy and remaining 2 platoons of D Coy in Sunken Road, HQ also in Sunken Road. A Coy came under the orders of O/C 5^th Ox & Bucks L.I.

Wancourt - 26 Apr 1917: Battn in support near Wancourt. Distribution of Battn same as 25^th.

Enemy shelled Sunken Road frequently today with 5.9’s & 4.2’s chiefly. Trenches were, however, lightly shelled. The Battn provided a working party of 40 OR’s, under 2/Lt H.W.D Evans, for work under the R.E. who were engaged in wiring [the] support line.

Wancourt - 27 Apr 1917: Battn in support near Wancourt. Dispositions same as 26^th. Enemy shelled trenches heavily up to 3.45pm. After that time most of his attention was directed on 15 Division on our left Our aeroplanes took of advantage of the prevailing fine weather, constantly flying over enemy.

Total casualties during the tour. OR 5 Killed & 22 wounded.

Niger Trench – 28 Apr 1917: O/C A Coy comes under [the] orders of O/C 5^th K.S.L.I. At night the Battn (with the exception of C Coy) who took over trench lately occupied by A Coy) was relieved by the 7^th Rifle Brigade (41^st Brigade) and afterwards proceeded to relieve 9^th K.R.R.C. in Niger Trench. Our aeroplanes very active today. Hostile aircraft was only seen at infrequent times.