Name
Ernest George England
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Bedfordshire Regiment
5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Ernest England was recorded in the 1911 Census living with his widowed grand-mother, Eliza England, at 6 Two Waters, London Road, Hemel Hempstead. Ernest was born in the summer of 1893 at Bushey Heath, and worked as a Book Binder.
Ernest attested at Watford on 1st September 1914, and enlisted with the Bedfordshire Regiment. He gave his occupation as working in Paper Making. He married Annie Shenfield Seabrook at All Saints Church, Dovercourt on 1st November 1914, and on 24th November 1914 his wife wrote to the Army requesting a Separation Allowance, as she could not manage on the 3/6d sent home by her new husband.
Dear Sir - I am writing to ask you about my allowance. I have been married three weeks now and I have been receiving 3/6d a week what my husband allows me out of his 7/0d. It stands to reason a wife cannot live on that and I have not got any other means. I should like to tell you we was on the point of being married before the war broke out but he didn’t think that the war would last this long or we should have been married before but being under such circumstances we could not put it off. I think that my husband is doing his duty for the country and I think they ought to try and look after his wife as you can understand that 3/6 is not enough to keep me. Trusting you will enquire into this for me. His name is Ernest England and he joined Kitchener’s Army in the Bedfordshire Regiment. His Regiment number is 13620. My Certificate Number is E6/17 and I receive it at Boxmoor Post Office.
I remain, Yours truly, Mrs A.S.England
The Bedfordshire Regiment requested proof of the marriage, and the Vicar of All Saints Church at Dovercourt sent confirmation including copies of the Banns.
Between 5th December 1914 and 4th January 1915 Ernest was admitted to the Temporary Military Hospital at Dovercourt. The reason is unknown. On 6th June 1915 he was discharged to 156 London Road, Hemel Hempstead. Ernest’s Pension Record does not indicate why he was discharged, however on 19th June 1917 he was re-examined and found to be totally unfit for Military Service. On 27th July 1917 he was awarded a Silver War Badge and Certificate to be worn to indicate that the wearer was not eligible, suitable or able to enter Military Service, and thus avoid harassment.
Ernest England survived the War. Ernest’s cousin John, lived in Adrian Road Abbots Langley. John served with the Hertfordshire Royal Field Artillery and survived the War and Ernest’s link with Abbots Langley was through that part of the England family and it was probably through that association that he was included in the Abbots Langley Roll of Honour. Despite being discharged in June 1915, the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour continued to record Ernest serving with the Bedfordshire’s throughout the War.
Additional Information
Formerly 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
