PONDER, Ernest Harry


No.6107, Private, Ernest Harry PONDER
Aged 23


4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
formerly 4345, Suffolk Regt.
Killed in Action on 1st November 1916


Ernest Harry Ponder was born on 23rd April 1893 in Alpheton (2nd qtr 1893 Sudbury 4a:748) son of Martha Ann PONDER. She married Arthur SYMONDS in 1894.

1901 census...Aged 6. he was in Alpheton with his mother Martha SYMONDS [29] and brother Bertie William PONDER [10]. All were born in Alpheton. His step-father seems to be in the Army, in South Africa, having served 8 years until late 1893 and then mobilised again in March 1900

His mother died in 1907

1911 census...Aged 17, a farm labourer, he was "near the Tye Inn, Alpheton" with his uncle Silas LONG [39] famr labourer born Thorpe Morieux and aunt Ellen Sophia LONG ( his mother's sister) [28] born Long Melford, and their 5 children all born in Alpheton. His father and brother Bertie were at Alpheton Tye

His legatee was his aunt Mrs Ellen LOMG


He enlisted in Sudbury
Ernest was initially buried east of Lesboeufs in a small battlefield cemetery and re-interred in Delville Wood in 1921.

The battalion at the end of October relieved the 1st Middlesex in DEWDROP TRENCH, east of LESBOEUFS. The war diary for 1st November:-
" A prty of "A" Coy under 2nd Lt GHC Adams attacked the enmey position on ridge on our right front in conjunction with and attack made by Brigade on our right. Our artillery bombardment had not destroyed enemy machine gun which caused us several casualties including 2nd Lt GHC Adams killed and the party was forced to fall back. Relieved by 1st Middlesex. Relief started at 5:30 and was complete by 8:50 hours and regiment proceeded to FLERS LINE. OR casualties 5 killed and 12 wounded"



photo CWGC

Ernest Ponder is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueville, France 25:J;8

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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