Name
Ernest Sweeting
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/05/1918
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
17423
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AIRE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Plot II, Row J, Grave 1.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Mary's Parish Church Memorial, Watford, Benskin's Brewery Memorial, Watford, St James' Church Memorial, Watford Fields,
Pre War
Son of John and Eliza (nee CARPENTER) SWEETING of Watford.
His parents married 26 April 1974 at St Mary’s, Watford. John died 20 May 1918 in Watford aged 72, and was buried 24 May in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Eliza died 1921 in Watford aged 67, and was buried 14 November, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery. There is a Death announcement for John in the Observer, also dated 25 May 1918.
Ernest was born 29 October 1892 in Watford, and baptised 11 January 1893 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended first Victoria Infants’ School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 30 April 1900 to 26 March 1902. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 8 he lived in Watford, with his parents and eight siblings. On the 1911 Census, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and six siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 12 August 1915, and died of wounds received in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Ernest’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing. There is a Death announcement for Ernest in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 25 May 1918; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 10 May 1919. Has a entry in the National Roll of the Great War. His brother Horace died 26 May 1918 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
