Name
Ernest Houchen
1887
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/12/1917
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
73537
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
97th Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
VI. BB. 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
"THY WILL BE DONE"
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial
Pre War
We believe this to be the E. Housden on the Cheshunt Town Memorial
Ernest Houchen was born in Woodford, Essex, in 1887, son of Walter Joseph Houchen a, Domestic Gardener and Eliza Houchen (nee Coppin). One of six children.
He was Baptised at St. Paul’s Church, Woodford Bridge, Essex, on 5th January 1890.
1891 Census records Ernest aged 1, living with his parents, brother Walter (4) and sister Lillian (3) at, 2 Cooks Cottages, Woodford Bridge, Essex.
1901 Census records Ernest aged 11, living with his parents, two brothers and two sisters in High Road, Loughton, Essex.
On the 27th February 1907, Ernest enlisted at Waltham Abbey, Essex, aged 18, for 9 years with the Colours and 4 years in the Reserve. He was posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment with the service number 8959, on the 8th March 1907.
In August 1907, Ernest and his battalion were posted to Gibraltar, until January 1910, when they were posted to Bermuda.
The 1911 Census records Ernest aged 22, Single, and a Private with “C” Company, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, stationed at Saint George, Bermuda.
In February 1912, Ernest and his Battalion were posted to South Africa, returning home in January 1914.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war Ernest was still serving with the Bedfordshire Regiment, he arrived in France on the 16th August 1914, he was only in France for 20 days when he received a shrapnel wound to his right-hand side, he returned home for treatment at the 2nd Southern General hospital arriving there on the 5th September 1914.
He returned to his unit in the field in January 1916. His service record indicates he served with the Boarder Regiment for a short time with the service number 21004. In March 1917 Ernest was posted to the Machine Gun Corps (MGC) with the service number 73537. He received multiple Gun Shot Wounds while in action on the 22nd October 1917, admitted to the 64th Casualty Clearing Station, Mendinghem, Belgium, were he died the following day the 23rd. He is buried in the CWGC Mendingham Military Cemetery, Mendinghem, Belgium.
Additional Information
His Headstone inscription “THY WILL BE DONE” was requested by his father Walter Houchen.
His effects of £30-13s-10d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £19-10s-00d, went to his mother Eliza Houchen.
He is recorded as E. Housden on the Cheshunt Town Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
