ERNEST WALTER SMITH

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

ERNIE

Born: 1880, Brackley, Northamptonshire.

Died: 20th April 1918; age 38; KiA.

Residence: Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Rank: Private; Service Number: M2/178576

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps, Mechanical Transport attached to ‘K’ Siege Park.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Grave Reference: 

II.G.13.

La Neuville British Cemetery,

Corbie,

Somme,

France.

CENSUS

1881   Church Lane, Brackley, Northamptonshire.

Ernie was 4 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

James Alfred Smith, 59, a Labourer, born Syresham, Northamptonshire.

Rebecca Smith (nee Webb), 51, born Turweston, Buckinghamshire.

Henry Smith, 21, a Carrier, born Brackley, Northamptonshire.

Alfred James Smith, 15, a Labourer, born Brackley.

Arthur Smith, 9, born Brackley.

Annie Margaret Smith, 7, born Brackley.

1891   on the road to Turweston, Whitfield, Northamptonshire.

Ernest was 14 years old, a Groom, and one of 3 servants for 40 year old, widower, John South, a Carrier & Grocer – employer and his young family.

1911   Shadwell, Thetford, Norfolk.

Ernest was 36 years old, a Chaffeur – Domestic. He was married. He and his family were boarders at the home of 40 year old, George David Gibbs, a Working Foreman on a Farm.

Sheba, 36.

Bernice, 1.

Ernest’s mother, Rebecca Smith, died July 1903, Brackley, Northamptonshire.

In 1908, Reigate, Surrey, Ernest, married Sheba Holt, born 1880, Barking, Essex. They had 1 daughter:

Bernice Margaret Smith, born 1909, Charlwood, Surrey.

Royal Army Service Corps, Mechanical Transport attached to ‘K’ Siege Park