Name
Ernest Edward Ambrose
8 March1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/07/1916
19 years
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
22170
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Battalion.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
XIV. A. 13A.
France
Headstone Inscription
"NEVER SHALL HIS MEMORY FADE"
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary's Church Memorial, Wallington, Not on Baldock Town Memorial, Not on the Cottered memorial
Pre War
Ernest Edward Ambrose was born in Cottered, Hertfordshire on 8 March1898 the eldest son of Samuel Ambrose (born 1876 in Chipping, Buntingford, Herts), a farm worker, and Harriett (nee Hills born 1876 in Cottered, Herts). Ernest was baptised on 10 April 1898 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Cottered, Herts. He was the eldest of six children.
The 1901 Census records Ernest aged 3, living with his parents at The Shrubs, Harefield, Middlesex, where his father was working as a carter on a farm. By 1904 the family were living in Lilley Bottom, Herts and Ernest attended Kings Walden, Ley Green, National School, from January 1904 to May 1908, when the family left the area.
In 1911 the family were living in Newnham near Baldock, Herts. Ernest aged 13 was at school and living with his parents, Brothers Albert Alexander (born 1902), Reginald Frederick (b.1904), sisters Winifred May (born 1906) and Margarette Hills (born 1910). [Another brother Joseph was born in 1913].
At the time of Ernest's death, his parents were living at Wallington Lodge, Baldock, Herts.
Wartime Service
At the time of enlistment Ernest was living in Baldock, Herts. There are no Service Records available for Ernest but it is known that he enlisted in Bedford and his War Gratuity suggests service of about 12 months, however his Medal Index Card does not show him eligible for the 1914/5 Star which would indicate he was not sent to France until 1916.
The War Diary reports that the 6th Battalion moved into the Front Line near Contalmaison during the night of 8 July 1916, remaining there until 11 July when they were relieved and moved to Support Trenches until 12 July 1916 supplying working parties. During this period there were 25 killed and 133 wounded. Ernest was among those wounded and evacuated to the No. 6 British Red Cross Hospital at Etaples, on the French coast, possibly prior to repatriation to England, but he died from his wounds on 13 July 1916, aged 19, and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £3 10s and pay owing of £3 17s 1d. Pension cards exist but give no indication if a pension was paid.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Neil Cooper, Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson.
