Name
Ernest William Daniels
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/05/1915
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/2468
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
12th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WATFORD CEMETERY
Plot K, Row 7, Grave 400.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St James' Church Memorial, Watford Fields,
Not on the Bushey memorials,
Not on the Watford memorials
Pre War
Son of Mary Daniels, Ernest was born 11 June or July 1893 in Bushey, Herts, and baptised 8 October 1893 at St Matthew’s, Oxhey, Herts. He attended first Red Lion Yard Infants’ School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 14 January 1901 to 9 July 1906.
His mother married Henry Lewis RODNEY 22 August 1896 at St Matthew’s, Oxhey. Mary died 1906 in the Watford district aged 37. Henry remarried 1910 in the Watford district to Mary CURD,; he died 1935 in Watford aged 71, and was buried 23 December in Vicarage Road Cemetery; second wife Mary died 1948 in Watford aged 80, and was buried 6 February at St Paul’s, Langleybury, Herts.
On the 1901 Census, aged 7 he lived in Watford, with his mother, stepfather and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, a greensman on golf links aged 17, he still lived in Watford, with his aunt and guardian Charlotte Emma Thornton.
Recorded as born in Bushey, Herts and was living in Watford (prob Watford Fields) when he enlisted in Harrow, Middlesex.
He resided in Watford; died in Watford, and was buried there on 8 May 1915.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Harrow, Middx, 31 August 1914, for General Service: a golf caddie aged 21, 5’8½” tall, C of E. and served with the 12th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment.
There is now some confusion. His service record suggests that he was deemed permanently unfit, not fit for light duties at home, and discharge was recommended 20 April 1915, however this is crossed out and the words "Cancelled" appear. On another page this appears again, but there is a correction "Died on 5th May 1915".
There are case notes (x? = words undeciphered) "Has had Rheumatic fever as a child was taken into hospital as a heart case and vascular disease was diagnosed on Oct 3rd 14. He repaired (x? unclear), although he had a great deal of Rheumatism from time to time. He was allowed out of bed in a chair about Xmas time. Early in January he was found to be paralysed on the Right side and was found to be suffering ulceration x?. He lies in a drowsy condition, is unable to speak or make use of his right side. Takes food fairly well, So able to retain x? x? & x? now but has had incontinence. No cough,"
He also has an entry in the De Rivigny Roll of Honour which confusingly suggests that he was killed in action on the 5th May 1915.
He appears to have no medals and died at home.
Additional Information
His half-brother Reginald RODNEY died 6 November 1915 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Also note that Watford is used many times in his records, but his direct connection appears to be to Watford Fields
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
