No.211691, Gunner, Ernest ROGERS
Aged 29
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Ernest Rogers was born in Little Saxham (4th qtr 1887 Thingoe 4a:685) son of Alfred and Amelia ROGERS (née CHINERY)
1891 census...Aged 3, he was at Church Row, Little Saxham with his father Alfred ROGERS [35] farm labourer born Pakenham; his mother[30] born Thurston; brothers Herbert William [12] and Jack [1]; sisters Nelly [8], Ethel [6] and Daisy [5] born Norton. The three eldest children were born in Thurston, Ernest and Jack in Little Saxham 1901 census...Aged 13, a farm labourer, he was at Honey Hill, Little Saxham with his parents, father now engine driver on farm; sister Daisy; brothers Jack, Fred [9], Willie [7], Charles [6], Alfred [4] and Edward [1]. 1911 census...Not found in this census, but at sometime he moved to Yorkshire and became a policeman. At Honey Hill, Little Saxham were his parents;and brothers Charles, Alfred, Edward and Algernon [5] and cousin Cecil G ROGERS [7]. His mother had lost 1 of her 13 children He married Ada Annie BROWN in Esholt St Paul, Yorkshire on September 17th 1913. Their daughter Edna Irene was born in 1915. Ada was later at 12 Iron Row, Burley in Wharfedale, Yorks. On the pension card his mother was at 14 North View, Burley in Wharfedale, Yorkshire.( home of his widow) His brother Charles was killed in 1916. see here |
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He enlisted in the Suffolk Militia (no.6058) for 6 years, in Bury St.Edmunds on 14th March 1903. He gave his age as 17 years, a labourer working for Mr Jillings of
Bury St.Edmunds. Born in Little Saxham he was 5 feet 7.25 inches tall, weighed 124 lbs and chest 32.5 to 34.5 inches, blue eyes, brown
hair, Church of England. His records in the "burnt docs" are copious but many are too faint to read. but what follows gives some ideas of his service life (have to be very careful as some pages are for a different man.) Despite objections from the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, Constable 1351 Ernest Rogers was able to enlist in the Army He attested in Halifax on 14th November 1916 ( deemed to have enlisted on 24th June 1916) and was mobilised on 22nd November (No.5162 Military Foot Police). He gave his age as 29 years 26 days, married, a policeman living at 35 Sun Lane, Burley in Wharfedale. He had served in the 3rd Suffolks. He had married Ada Ann BROWN on September 17th 1913, their daughter Edna Irene was born December 1915. Born in Little Saxham, he was 5 feet 9.25 inches tall, chest 37 to 40 inches, weighed 140 pounds. His personal possessions returned to his widow were Letters, photos, pipe, note book, two coins, 9 carat gold ring, cigarette case, dentures, lighter and a card case..the rest is too faint to read. Posted to BEF 16th April 1917 Southampton to Le Havre and base depot at Rouen on 22nd April 1919. To A.P.M. Abbeville 6/5/17, to P.M. 5th Army 3/9/17 where he joined the 2nd Traffic Control, Section on 29/9/17 3/11/17 admitted to 6 Canadian Field Ambulance PUO (Pyrexia Unknown Origin ie Army speak for "Don't know what's wrong"). forward via 3 Casualty Clearing Station (at Grevillers) then on 4/11 to 53 General Hospital, Boulogne. Evacuated to UK on 20th November 1917. It appears his wife was at Little Saxham then. 16th April transferred to Royal Garrison Artillery and posted to BEF on 8th July, joining 214 Siege Battery. He was wounded on 2nd October 1918 and sent via 61 C.C.S.( at Bohain) to hospital. His wife was telegraphed news of his dangerous wounding which seems to have reached her after he had actually died 11th October
and remembered on the family grave in Yorkshire click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
