Main CPGW Record
Surname: ALDERSLEY
Forename(s): Ernest
Place of Birth: Bradford, Yorkshire
Service No: 154978
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion
Division: 2nd Division
Age: ---
Date of Death: 1918-09-02
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: II. H. 25.
CWGC Cemetery: VAULX HILL CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: GARGRAVE, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Ernest Aldersley was the son of Jeremiah and Rose Aldersley, née Jowett. Jeremiah was born at Gargrave and Rose at Arncliffe, Yorkshire. Ernest was the cousin of Ada Aldersley, the wife of Company Sergeant-Major Samuel Wormwell (729) (q.v.) and cousin of Fanny Aldersley, the wife of Private William Burton (37746) (q.v.).
1901 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: Higher Land - Ernest Aldersley, aged 1 year, born Arncliffe [sic], Yorkshire, son of Jeremiah and Rose Aldersley.
1911 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: Higherland - Ernest Aldersley, aged 11 years, born Bradford, Yorkshire, son of Jeremiah and Rose Aldersley.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Ernest Aldersley, 154978, M.G.C.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Ernest Aldersley, 154978, M.G.C. Killed in Action 2.9.18.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Ernest Aldersley, 154978, 62 [sic] Bn M.G.C. Date and Place of Death: 2.9.18 in action France or Belgm. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - Jeremiah. £14 12s. 13d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Ernest. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Rose Aldersley. Relationship: Mother. Address: West Street, Gargrave, Via Leeds.
Early in 1918 Machine Gun Battalions were formed. This was done by bringing 4 Machine Gun Companies together to form a battalion. The battalion then took the number of their Division.
A short biography of Ernest is included in: ‘From Mills to Marching and Back Again – A History of Gargrave from 1900 to 1925’ by Sue Lyall and Donavon Slaven with contributions from George Ingle, Ray Jones and Martin Thompson (2019).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
ALDERSLEY, Ernest, aged 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Aldersley, West Street, [Gargrave], killed in action Sept. 3, 1918.
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Private Ernest ALDERSLEY
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 2nd Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
20 September 1918
GARGRAVE - KILLED ON HIS 19th BIRTHDAY
The sad news has reached Mr. and Mrs. J. Aldersley, West Street, that their only son, Ernest, was killed by a shell while in action on the 3rd inst. Authentic news through the War Office is not yet to hand, but his pal, Private Charles Goddard, sends the information to his parents in a very sympathetic communication. It appears they were fast friends, having been companions for some time. It was young Aldersley's first baptism of fire, and on his nineteenth birthday. A well-built strapping young fellow, he was, prior to enlisting, a Canal Office clerk and clerk at Delaney's Gargrave quarries. The deep sympathy of the whole parish goes out to his bereaved relatives. At the Parish Church the Dead March was played in his honour on Sunday night after very feeling references to the event by the Vicar at the close of his sermon.
29 August 1919
ALDERSLEY - In loving memory or Ernest Aldersley, of Gargrave, killed in action Sept. 3rd, 1918.
In our home you are fondly remembered,
Happy memories cling round your name;
True hearts that held you in deepest affection
Always will love you in death just the same.
From all at Holme House, Gargrave.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
20 September 1918
Another Gargrave Youth Pays the Great Price
The sad news has reached Mr. and Mrs. J. Aldersley, West Street, Gargrave, that their only son, Ernest, was killed by a shell while in action on the 3rd inst. Authentic news through the War Office is not yet to hand, but his 'pal,' Pte. Charles Goddard, sends the information to his parents in a remarkably sympathetic communication. It appears they were best friends, having been companions for some time. It was young Aldersley's first baptism of fire, and happened on his 19th birthday. A well-built, strapping young fellow, he was, prior to enlistment, a canal office clerk and clerk at Delaney's Gargrave quarries. The deep sympathy of the whole parish goes out to his relatives, and at the Parish Church the 'Dead March' was played in his memory on Sunday night, after most feeling references to the event by the Vicar at the close of his sermon. We give his photo above.
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