Name
Ernest William Graham
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/10/1916
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Border Regiment
12th Bn., attached 1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 6 A and 7 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
St Mark’s Church Plaque, Colney Heath
Pre War
He was the son of Thomas Hodgson Graham and Ruth Elizabeth Graham, of 41, Hatfield Rd., St. Albans, Herts.
According to the 1901 census Ernest (9) lived with his parents, two sisters, Lillie and Louisa, and his brother James, on the Oaklands Estate (East Lodge) which was owned by Graham Fish and his wife, Sarah.
The 1911 census records that Ernest (19) was still living in the five roomed house of East Lodge with his two sisters and younger brother George (records indicate that George was baptised at St Mark’s church on 29th December 1901). James was employed as an asylum hall boy and was living at Hill End Asylum.
He attended Colney Heath School and at the age of 13 was appointed temporary school monitor (the school log indicates that this occurred on 21st July 1905).
Ernest’s appointment was made permanent and he stayed in the role until 1st March 1907. The school log reads:
“Ernest Graham, monitor, leaves today by permission of the managers. He has obtained a post in an office in St Albans as he did not intend becoming a PT” (Pupil Teacher). It is likely that the post was as a book keeper in a builder’s merchant, as indicated on the 1911 census.
Ernest’s sister Lilly also had connections with Colney Heath School. The log records (6th May 1904) that the headmaster has “asked the managers to consider the application of Lilly Graham as a likely candidate to become a monitoress with the idea of her becoming a PT” (pupil teacher).
Following her application (June 3rd 1904), the log records “Lilly Graham appointed monitoress on a three month trial with the idea of her becoming a PT”.
For Lilly this role of monitoress ceased on 31st March 1905. After this date the log goes quiet on Lilly, the likelihood is that she left as Violet Kent is recorded beyond this date as the PT.
Ernest’s other sister Louisa also had strong connections with Colney Heath School. The attendance register records her as pupil no 8, starting at the school on 8th June 1903 and leaving on 12th July 1912. Two years later Louisa is back at Colney Heath School in that she “took up duties as monitoress last Wednesday and is giving what help she can to the teachers of STS [Standards] 1 & 2” (3rd July 1914 – school log record).
The school log then continues with a number of entries associated with Louisa:
4/8/1916 – “Miss L Graham and G Swain, moniteresses have each had their notices to cease duties on August 31st.”
15/9/1916 – “Miss B Lewis, supplementary, resigned Sept 8th the charge of the infants. Miss L Graham as a supplementary has been reinstated and will take charge of the infants with the help of the monitoress Miss G Swain who has also been reinstated.”
Louisa finally left Colney Heath School at the end of January 1920, she gave her reason for leaving as to having to reside at home on account of her mother’s illness that may last indefinitely. She was described as a most promising teacher.
As with Ernest’s brothers, it is very likely that James attended Colney Heath School, however as he was four years older than Louisa he does not appear in the attendance register. As for his other brother George, the attendance register clearly records him (pupil no 58) as commencing on 9th April 1907 and leaving on 21st January 1916.
Prior to enlisting he was a builder’s merchant book keeper (1911)
Wartime Service
His service record is NW/6/19817. Ernest enlisted in the Imperial Light Horse in Cape Town in 1914 and served in German South West Africa. He also served in France. Ernest began his service as a private and at some point, transferred to the Border Regiment, being awarded an officer’s commission on 1st August 1916, as confirmed in the London Gazette of the time.
Ernest is remembered with honour on Thiepval Memorial. This memorial is for the missing of the Battle of the Somme (July – November 1916).
Additional Information
Son of Thomas Hodgson Graham and Ruth Elizabeth Graham, of 41, Hatfield Rd., St. Albans, Herts.
Acknowledgments
Graham Clark – World War One – The Fallen of London Colney, Grace Clark, Jonty Wild
