No.6084, Private, Ernest William HOWARD
Aged 22
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Ernest William HOWARD was born in Great Yarmouth on 28th May 1894 (The FLEGGS Q2-1894 4B:41), baptised on 5th January 1896 at St Peter's, Great Yarmouth, son of Ernest Nobbs and Eliza HOWARD (née BENNETT). His father was born in Belton,Norfolk in 1843, he was a bricklayer..
There are many records of his baptism, all bar one at St Nicholas, but the only copy of the actual register entry is clearly St Peter's 1901 census...Aged 6, He was at Great Green, Thurston with his grandmother Eliza BENNETT [81] and mother Eliza HOWARD [38], both born in Thurston. His father is not there, but he is on the Electors Register as being at 19 North River Road, Great Yarmouth for 1899-1900 and 1900-1901. 1911 census...Aged 16, a farm labourer, he was in Thurston with his mother, a laundress. His father was not there, he seems to be in Great Yarmouth, Row 28, No.7 and he died in 1914 in Great Yarmouth with his widowed mother, Sarah Howard [73].The Rows in Yarmouth were just that, rows of narrow alleyways, up to 145 in 1804. They could be less than 3 feet wide. Demolished gradually, speeded by German bombing in WW2 and now gone.
On the pension card his mother was still at Great Green, Thurston.
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He enlisted in Bury St Edmunds on 16th November 1915, resident in Thurston. His legatee was his mother He gave his correct date of birth on attestation, was 5 ft 5.5 inches (166.4 cm)tall, chest 33"-36" (83.8 to 91.4 cm), weighing 126 lbs (57.2 kg), a Baptist, next of kin his mother. Place on Reserve, he was mobilised on 24th January 1916 into the 16th Battalion, London Regiment and drafted to B.E.F. on 28th June 1916 via Le Havre from where he was sent to join the 23rd Battalion on 29th September 1916. His belongings, returned to his mother, were a testament, hymn book, purse, pocket book, letters, cards and photos. The war diary on 222 December 1916 has :- weather wet to fine - Raid was carried out on the CANAL sub sector by the 140 I.B. Guns of this Coy did not take part in these operations, but stood to until the situation became normal (6:30 pm). Hostile artillery active generally. CWGC has just two of the battalion killed this day
photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
