Name
Ernest Odell
1879
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/01/1919
42
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4622
Essex Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HITCHIN CEMETERY
NE. 635.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin War Memorial, St Mary’s Church, Hitchin, St Mary’s Church Memorial Book, Hitchin, British Schools Museum Memorial, Hitchin
Pre War
Ernest was born in 1879 in Hitchin and christened on 23 Jul 1879 in St. Mary’s Church, Hitchin. His parents were Robert and Esther Odell.
In 1881 the family were living at Parcels Yard, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Robert (38) and Esther (31), with Robert working as a general dealer. Their children were: Thomas (4) and Ernest (2).
In 1891 the family had moved to 3 Sharpes Yard, Hitchin. Both parents were present with Robert still a general dealer, their children listed as Ernest (12), Nellie (10), George (4) and Jack (3). Also present were errand boy Frederick Mansell (12) and George Mansell (4), both were nephews.
It seems that both parents had died before the following census: Robert died in 1897 and Esther in 1899. So In 1901 all the children were living at 10 Russell Slip, Hitchin. Present were all the children previous listed with Ernest (21) now the head of the household and working as a gardener’s labourer. His siblings were all there: Nellie, George and Jack.
Ernest married Alice Louisa French in 1907 and by 1911 they were living at 7 Taylors Cottages, Old Park Road, Hitchin. Present were Ernest (34(sic)) and Alice (26). Ernest was working as a bricklayer’s labourer. The census recorded they had been married for 4 years with 2 children, all living. They now had two children: Emely (3) and Alice French (6) – presumably Alice’s existing daughter when they married.
Wartime Service
He was initially in the 4th Battalion of the Essex Regiment with the Regimental Number 4622 and was later recorded as 35512 of the Essex Regiment. Later he was transferred to the 47 POW Company in the Labour Corps with the Number 604768, quite possibly after wounding or illness made him unfit for frontline service.
He died from pneumonia and was buried in Grave NE 635 in Hitchin Cemetery.
Additional Information
His widow, Mrs A L Odell, ordered his headstone inscription, when living at 3, Wratten Rd., Hitchin. Herts., in reads: “REST IN PEACE”.
After his death a war grant of £14 10s 0d was authorised to go to his widow, Alice Louisa Odell, on 28 May 1919.
His pension cards record his widow as his dependant, living at 3 Wratten Road, Hitchin. She was awarded a grant of £9 on 27 February 1919, but no pension is detailed.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
