Name
Ernest James Augustus Page
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/03/1918
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
130687
Royal Engineers
No. 4 Special Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SUCRERIE CEMETERY, ABLAIN-ST. NAZAIRE
III. D. 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield, Not listed on the Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Ernest was the son of John and Mary Page, later of 1, Gracemead Cottage, Newtown, Hatfield, Herts. He was born in Hatfield - according to some records, circa 1896.
In the 1901 Census Ernest was 5, and living with his family and siblings at 7 Ford Villas, Finchley, Middx. His father was a signal linesman. Mothers name is Mary. In the 1911 Census: Ernest was recorded as born in Finchley, Middx., and was working as a domestic houseboy. He was still living with his family, now at 1, Gracemead Cottages, Newtown, Hatfield. His father was now a signal fitter on the railway.
Officially recorded as born in Hatfield and was living there when he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
Originally Ernest was in the Hertfordshire Regiment as Private 5699, meaning that he enlisted soon after 17th September 1915. He rose to Lance Corporal 130687 in the Corps of the Royal Engineers and was serving in the 4th Spec. Coy., R.E.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of December 1915, in the sixteenth list of men mobilized from Hatfield, recorded: “Page, Ernest – Gracemead Cottages – 1st Herts. Regt.” And in May 1918: “Mrs Page, the news of her son’s death arriving too late for insertion in our last issue, allows us to print the following appreciation from his commanding officer.
“France 23/03/1918”
“Dear Mrs Page, - Please accept my own and the Section’s most sincere sympathy on the loss of your son. During the time that I have been in command of 43 Section I have learned to rely on him as a trusty N.C.O. and in him the Section loses one of its oldest members and a trusty comrade under all circumstances. Words I know seem idle at a time like this, but I hope it will help you in your grief to know how much I and his old friends n the section thought of him and how greatly we feel his loss. I am thankful to say we were able to bring his body back from the line and bury him in a Cemetery where you may rest assured that all of us will do all in our power to keep the grave well cared for. Once again offering you my most sincere sympathy, believe me.
Henry E. Hart, 2nd Lt., R.E.”
The Herts Advertiser dated 13th April 1918, reported: “Lance Corporal Ernest J Page - Much sympathy goes out to Mr and Mrs Page, Gracemead Cottages, Newtown, Hatfield, who have been called upon to endure the loss of a second son, Lance Corporal E J Page, R E. who fell in the terrific fighting of the last few days. The CO of his section wrote of him ‘I had learned to rely on him as a most trusty NCO and in him the section has lost one of its oldest members and a most trusty comrade under all circumstances. We were able to bring his body back from the line and bury him in a cemetery where you may rest assured that all of us will do all in our power to keep his grave well cared for.’”
Awarded Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Additional Information
Brother of John Charles W Page who also died.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Page (Mother) of 1 Gracemead Cottages received a Silver Matchbox.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
