Soldier Record

From Ernest's diary:

From his diary

25/9/1915 was the first day of Loos Battle 10000 started -2500 casualties on the first day, 5000 on the second.

We left Cromarty at 10.15 after getting a cheering sending off. We boarded the ship that conveyed us to Invergordon. We then got the train about 12.45 which landed up in Perth at 6.55. We then had tea and 2 sandwiches leaving again at 7.45. Arriving in Edinburgh at 9pm where we saw a few Penicuik girls. Leaving Edinburgh at 9.15 onto York via Dunbar, Berwick and Newcastle where we got our rationing which consisted of 3 1/2 loaves and 1lb of Bully Beef which turned out to be bad. We got 2 sandwiches 1 large cup of tea.

We arrived at York at 2.15. We were at York about 1/4 hour then we proceeded on our journey. Stopping again at Doncaster for the railwaymen to attend to the greasing of the wheels. We eventually arrived in London (kings x)at 7pm. It was 1 hour later

before we were clear of London. we saw St Pauls, London Bridge and Nelson Monument. We continued our journey and arrived at Folkstone at 10.15, We were at once embarked on transportation landing at Bolougne and arriving at our camp about 3am on Thursday morning.

Etaples, Robecq

We were at Robecq for 9 days. we left at 10pm on Tuesday the 1st. we stayed at a farm for the night and left for Bubreg at 2.30 passing through Buthune(?) and at Bourry(?) at 5.30am on 2/9/15 On Friday 3rd we went up to the firing line to carry ammunition we were covering in with mud from head to toe and arrived home at Bouary at 6am. we went out again for digging on 5th and 6th. We carry more ammunition.

There were no further entries but investigation since then has found that he died in the Battle Of Loos - En Gohelle on 25/9/15. No known grave although his name is on The Loos Cemetery Duds Corner Cemetery Panel 112-115.