Name
Ernest Godfrey Harvey
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/05/1915
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4/6145
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 10-11
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Ernest was born on 3 September 1890 in Newport in Essex and baptised 1 November 1890 in St Mary the Virgin, Newport, Essex. His parents were William and Mary Ann Harvey (née Frances) who married on 19 March 1887 at St Mary the Virgin, Newport, Essex.
In 1891 the family were living at Cage Green, Newport, Essex. Present were both parents: William (27) and Mary (26), with William working as a agricultural labourer. Their children were: Frederick (3), Herbert S (2) and Ernest Godfrey at 7 months.
William is believed to have died in 1895 and his widow married Henry John Woolner, later that year on 26 December at St Mary the Virgin, Newport, Essex.
In 1901 Mary and husband Henry Woolner (36) were living at Foxhole, Cottered, Herts. and Henry working as a stockman on a cattle farm. Also present were Fred (15), Herbert (14), Godfrey (10), Agnes (4), Beatrice (2) and Henry at 5 months. All are recorded with the surname Woolner, but it is thought that at least Fred, Herbert and Godfrey (Ernest Godfrey) would have been Harveys.
By 1911 the family were living at Grove Mill Farm, Grove Road, Hitchin,. Present were mother and stepfather, Henry working as a stockman on a farm. The census recorded they had been married for 15 years with 6 children, all living. The six children (Woolners) of this couple were: Agnes Muriel (14), Beatrice Ivy (12), Henry Gordon (10), Leonard Archibald (7), Lillian Amelia (5) and Hilda Mary (2). Ernest was also present but recorded as a stepson with his own surname Harvey, he was working as a farm labourer.
Officially Ernest was recorded as born in Newport, Essex and loving in Hitchin when he enlisted there.
Wartime Service
He was recorded as volunteering in August 1914 and sent to France on 8 November 1914, which suggest previous service or that he was in the Territorials and had volunteered for overseas service.
He was in the 2nd Battalion and was allocated the Regimental Number 4/6145. His entry in the National Roll of the Great War recorded that he was in the retreat from Mons, however this information was usually placed by family of friends and the retreat from Mons was over by November 8th. The entry records that he was at Ypres and Hill 60, which is likely to be accurate.
At the time of his death, the Battalion occupied trenches in the Indian Village sector to the east of Bethune and northeast of Festubert. The ground was badly waterlogged and in the attacks, wounded men drowned in the mud and water. In a week's fighting in the trenches 50% of the Battalion were killed or wounded. Ernest was recorded as killed in action during this period.
He has no known grave, but is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial to the Missing in France.
Additional Information
After his death £14 6s 10d was authorised to go to his mother Mary Ann on 29 October 1915. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to her on 10 July 1919.
His pension cards record his widow as his dependant, living at 67 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin. She was awarded a pension of 5s a week from 6 November 1918.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
