Name
Ernest Somner (Senior) (*1)
1872
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/10/1914
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
10088
Princess Charlotte of Wales’ (Royal Berkshire) Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 45
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Norton, WW1 Cross, Windsor, Berks
Pre War
Ernest Somner was born in Windsor, Berkshire in 1872 to John Somner, waiter, and Jane (nee Munday).
On the 1881 Census the family of parents, John (born 1869), Matilda Jane (born 1870), Ernest, Clara May born 1874), and Margaret (born 1877) were living at 7, Keppel Row, New Windsor, Berks.
Not found on the 1891 & 1901 Census records.
Ernest enlisted in the 3rd Battalion Princess Charlotte’s Own (Royal Berkshire Regiment) as Private 4970 on 5 Dec 1894 and purchased his Discharge on 4 Feb 1895.
E Somner address 50 Lurgan Cottages Common View.
*1 further research is required but he is believed to be the Grandfather of Ernest Somner (service number 15859) both appear on the Letchworth memorial.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Ernest, (not confirmed that he was called from reserves or he was already serving at the outbreak of the Great War).
With the serial number of 10088 he went to France on 13 Aug 1914 with 1st Battalion, in 6 Brigade 2nd Division went on to Take part in the Battle of Mons, the retreat taking part in rear guard actions and the Battle of the Marne, before moving to Ypres to take part in the 1st Battle of Ypres where he was reported Killed in action on 27 Oct 1914. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered in the Menin Gate memorial, Ypres.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £5 and arrears of £8 2s 6d paid to his father.
Ref to E Somner belonging to St Michael's Church, in Citizen
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Dan Hill, Ellen Barnes, Jonty Wild
