Ernest BOOTH

15 September 1916

AUSTWICK - On Leave

The following have been home on a week-end leave:- Pte. Thos Shuttleworth, Pte. E. Booth (N.F.), Pte. J. Capstick (R.E.), and Pte. J. Bradley (York Regt.), Gunner J. Moss has also been home on a six days' final leave.

10 November 1916

AUSTWICK

Pte. Ernest Booth, son of Mr. Robert Booth, Owlett Hall, is at home on six days' final leave. He is attached to a battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers and expects to go abroad very shortly.

13 July 1917

BOOTH - Killed in action in France, June 26th, Private Ernest Booth, Durham Light Infantry, second son of Mr. Robert Booth, Owlet Hall, Austwick, aged 20 years.

13 July 1917

AUSTWICK - PTE. ERNEST BOOTH KILLED

Much sympathy is felt in Austwick and district for Mr. and Mrs. Booth and family, Owlet Hall, in their sad loss in the war. Pte. Ernest Booth, second son of Mr. Robert Booth, was killed in action on June 26th last. The deceased soldier, who was 20 years of age, enlisted on the 28th July last year in the Northumberland Fusiliers and trained at Hornsea, near Hull. He went out to France on the 24th November, and was transferred into the Durham Light Infantry. Prior to joining up he was employed by his father on farm work. He was of a very quiet disposition, but steady and reliable and highly respected by all who knew him. The following letter has been received by his father from the officer commanding his regiment:-

Tuesday, July 3rd 1917.

"Dear Mr. Booth, - It is with deep regret that I have to write to tell you of the death of your son, 200741, Pte. E. Booth. He was killed in action by a shell on the 26th June whilst taking part in a very successful attack by his battalion, which you may have seen mentioned in the papers at the end of last month. He had been in my company some time, and I thought a great deal of him as a keen and willing worker, and ready to obey any orders given him. I am afraid there is not much that we can do to compensate you brave folk at home for the sacrifices you so unselfishly make in giving up your nearest and dearest in this noble cause, which I hope we shall conclude successfully. If there is anything more we can do, or any more information you want, please let me know. Please accept my sincere sympathy with you all. Yours sincerely, E.A. MEEK (Capt.)."

A memorial service for the deceased soldier will be held in the Epiphany Church on Sunday evening, conducted by the Rev. A.C. Sutcliffe (vicar).

20 July 1917

AUSTWICK - MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday evening a large congregation assembled in the Epiphany Church at a special service in memory of Private Ernest Booth, second son of Mr Robert Booth, Owlet Hall. At the commencement Mr. Farraday (organist) played 'O Rest in the Lord'. The Rev. A. C. Sutcliffe (vicar) read the opening sentences of the Burial Service, after which special prayers were offered for the deceased soldier. The hymns were feeling[ly] rendered by choir and congregation. The Vicar made several references to Ernest Booth, who was a communicant at this church. He referred also to the letter received by Mr. Booth from the Captain under whom Ernest had served. The Captain spoke of him as an eager, willing lad, a keen worker, and one he should miss. The Vicar offered the sympathies of himself and the congregation to the bereaved, and spoke of that glorious morn when we shall see "those angel faces smile, which we have loved long since and lost awhile". The service concluded with a rendering of the Dead March in 'Saul'.

28 June 1918

BOOTH - In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Private Ernest Booth, 1/5th Durham L.I., second son of Mr. Robert Booth, who was killed in action in France June 26th, 1917, aged 20 years.

Dear is the place where our loved one is laid,
Dear is the memory that will never fade;
Sweet is the hope that again we shall meet
Kneeling together at Jesu's feet.

From his two Brothers, and all at Owlet Hall, Austwick, Lancaster.