Name
Ernest Trigg
12/08/1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/03/1918
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/26392
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Panel 60 and 61.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France to the Fallen.
UK & Other Memorials
St Thomas' Mission Hall, Green Tye, St Thomas' Church Memorial, Perry Green, Much Hadham Village Memorial. St Andrew’s Church Memorial, Much Hadham. Stone Bench Plaque, Much Hadham, Congregational Church Memorial, Hadham Cross
Pre War
Ernest Trigg was born on 12 August 1892, in Much Hadham, Herts, son of William Trigg, a Farm Labourer and Matilda Ann (nee Holgate) Trigg. He was the youngest of six surviving children. Christened on 25 September 1892, in Much Hadham, Herts.
1901 Census records Ernest aged 8, living with his parents, brothers George (16) and Charles (12) in, Southend, Much Hadham, Herts.
1911 Census records the family as “Frigg” not Trigg, Ernest was aged 19, working as a Farm Labourer, living with his parents, and brother Charles in, Southend, Much Hadham, Herts.
He married Florence Goodson on 12 July 1915 in St Andrew’s Church, Willesden, Middlesex. The daughter of Henry William Goodson, a Bricklayer and Emma Goodson. Ernest and Florence had one son, Leonard Ernest Trigg, born in August 1916.
Wartime Service
Ernest enlisted at Much Hadham in April 1916, posted to the Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex) Regiment with service number G/26392. And went to France 4 months later. He was wounded twice but recovered. In November 1917, he came home on leave for a short time. After his death his wife received a letter from his company officer saying: ‘’Your noble husband died doing his duty.”
Battle History Notes: On March 21st, the Germans began a major spring offensive, and by March 25th, the 2nd Middlesex Regiment had 11 of their 16 platoons wiped out, while holding a section of Eterpigny Ridge.
2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment War Diary Extract:
28th March 1918- (At Rosieres) A very strong attack was again made at about 8am. The Division on the right having given way, a retirement on a prepared line of trenches east of Caix was ordered.
2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment Unit Diary Extract:
Retirement was begun at 4.30pm, in a squall of heavy rain which prevented enemy observation. No orders reached the 2nd Middlesex and by 5.30pm enemy had closed in and only small parties managed to escape.
Additional Information
His effects of £12 & 11d, Pay Owing and a War Gratuity of £9, went to his widow Florence, she also received a widow’s pension of 20/5 a week from 14 October 1918, for herself and son Leonard.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Malcolm Lennox, “Lest We Forget – Much Hadham 1914-18” by Richard Maddams (Much Hadham Forge Museum)
