Name
Ernest Edward Felmingham
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/03/1918
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
108346
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
59th Div. Machine Gun Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ACHIET-LE-GRAND COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
II. F. 23.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Bushey memorials, Not on the Watford memorials
Pre War
Born in the first quarter of 1884, Ernest Edward Felmingham was the oldest of three children born to George and Jessie Sarah (née Baker) Felmingham, an established Bushey Family. His parents were married in February 1880 and lived at 65 Villiers Road, Oxhey. His brother George was born in the last quarter of 1885 and sister Jessie was born I the last quarter of 1888.
On the 1891 Census, the family is still living at 65 Villers Road, Oxhey and includes Jessie (Snr.), Ernest (aged 7), George (aged 6), Jessie (aged 2) and Jane (Jessie’s Mother in Law). George (Snr.) is not present and Jessie (Snr.) is recorded as the head of the family. The death, aged 38, of a George Felmingham is recorded in the Toxteth Park, Lancashire registration district in the first quarter of 1892 and appears to be the most likely candidate for the missing father.
On the 1891 Census, Ernest was aged 7 and living in Bushey with his mother and two siblings.
Jessie died (also aged 38), in the first quarter of 1894 in Bushey and at the 1901 Census, Ernest was living with his brother, George, at the Mountford House Boy’s Home in Islington, London. Ernest, now aged 17, is a draper’s assistant and George is a commercial clerk
The electoral register for 1906 shows Ernest living in one room at 32, Corporation Row, Clerkenwell Parish of the Finsbury Central Ward. H is still there at the 1908/9 electoral register.
Officially recorded as born in Watford and was living in Clerkenwell when he enlisted in Holborn.
Wartime Service
Ernest originally enlisted in Holborn, London, as Private R/39344 in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. and later served as Private 108346 in the Machine Gun Corps, 59th Division M G Battalion. He died of sickness in March 1918, aged 34, at the 49th Casualty Clearing Station while serving on the Western Front.
His name is not recorded on any Bushey memorial, but he is remembered with honour at Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery in France.
Additional Information
The Register of Soldiers Effects shows a grant of £3 to his brother George and Pay Owing of £!0-10s-4d split equally between George and his sister Jessie. Information provided with the kind permission of Bushey First World War Commemoration Project – Please visit www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk. Additional information also drawn from the Our Watford History website - please visit www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
