Circumstances Leading to Death from Circumstances of Casualty Card

3-6-1916 Killed in action while on duty in the front line trenches at Sanctuary Wood, he was instantly killed when an enemy shell exploded close to where he was standing.     

The Kenora Great War Project tells us that "The Battle of Mount Sorrel started on the morning of 2 June with an intense bombardment of the Canadian lines followed by the explosion of underground mines. After the barrage German infantry advanced and captured Mount Sorrel and nearby areas. A counter-attack was planned for 3 June and additional units were brought in, including all four companies of the 52nd Battalion. The men left Ypres around midnight and on their way to the front lines near Sanctuary Wood they faced heavy rifle, machine gun and artillery fire. Some trenches had been destroyed in the initial barrage and others were congested with troops and equipment. Despite the confusion and a lack of guides many of the men made it to Sanctuary Wood but it was well after dawn on 3 June, and two companies were caught in the open with little protection. The entire area was heavily shelled that day causing numerous casualties in the battalion. Ernest was one of the men killed in action".   

• Photographs courtesy Southam Heritage Collection
• Canadian War Memorials courtesy of The Kenora Great War project