BETTS, Ernest Robert


No.42814, Private, Ernest Robert BETTS
Aged 20


8th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra, Princess of Wales' Own)
formerly 156851, Royal Field Artillery
Killed in Action on 29th September 1917


Ernest Robert Betts was born in Stanningfield (4rd qtr 1897 Thingoe 4a:801), son of Henry and Myra BETTS (née ANNISS). He was a cousin of James Anniss see here



1901 census...Aged 3, he was at Bury Road, Stanningfield with his father Harry BETTS [60] yardman; his mother Myra [45]; sister Lilian [9] ; brothers Henry[11], and William [7]. All were born in Stanningfield

1911 census...Aged 13, a farm labourer, he was at 7 Fox Cottages, Stanningfield with his parents and brother Francis William (farm labourer).

On the pension card his mother was at 7 Fox's Cottages, Stanningfield.



He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds on 4th September 1916.
The 8th Battalion had just moved into the line just SE of Polygon Wood. Enrest was in C Coy in the support trench which was heavily shelled on 28th/29th September. According to CWGC the battalion had 10 killed on the 29th





Photo CWGC

Ernest Betts is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium panel 52-54

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


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