Name
Ernest Ginger
1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/08/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
19128
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MILLENCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
B.13
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Codicote Village Memorial, Peace Memorial Hall, Codicote, Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Ernest Ginger was born in Codicote, nr Hitchin in 1896, the son of Frederick and Martha Ginger.
His father died in 1898, aged 45 and on the 1901 Census he was living with his widowed mother and seven siblings in New Street, Codicote. The family seem to have been existing on the wages of his 17 year old sister Elizabeth who was then working as a Cook (Domestic) and his 15 year old brother Frederick who was working as a Straw Tier (Agricultural).
By 1911 the family had moved to The Barracks Cottages, High Street, Codicote but only Ernest and his brothers Fred and George were living at home with his mother. Ernest was working as a farm labourer.
His mother later lived at 12 Cannons Cottages, Hitchin Hill, Hitchin, Herts on pension records.
Wartime Service
Ernest enlisted at Hertford and joined the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. (N.B. Medal Roll Index cards indicate 7th Battalion). He arrived in France on 26 July 1915.
Before his death Ernest had been wounded twice before, in April 1916 and in July 1916.
At the beginning of August 1916 they were situated near Bazentin-le-Petit, France and Ernest was one of several soldiers wounded in action in the first few days of the month. He died of leg wounds on 7 August 1916 at No.1 Field Ambulance, which was then situated near Millencourt, France.
He is buried in Millencourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £7 10s and his pay owing was divided between his mother and siblings. His mother also received a pension of 12 shillings a week in respect of her two sons, Ernest and George.
It is interesting to note that his brother George is recorded with a strong connection to Hitchin, but his brother Ernest has no recorded connection, other that his mother's address was 12 Cannons Cottages, Hitchin Hill, Hitchin, Herts., after their deaths.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Brenda Palmer, June Colegrove, Roll-of-Honour.com
