Main CPGW Record
Surname: DEWHIRST
Forename(s): Ernest
Place of Birth: Shipley, Yorkshire
Service No: 265031
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 2/7th Battalion
Division: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
Age: 30
Date of Death: 1918-05-18
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: XVI. D. 9.
CWGC Cemetery: BIENVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial(s): Not Listed (View Names Not Listed on a Local War Memorial)
Additional Information:
Ernest Dewhirst was the son of Hannah Dewhirst, née Flaxington (born Shipley, Yorkshire, c. 1845), daughter of Robert and Sarah Flaxington, née Wilcock. When Robert and Sarah were married, Robert's surname was given as Flax. Hannah was married to James Dewhirst in 1865.
1891 Shipley, Yorkshire Census: 9, Albion Street - Earnest Dewhirst, aged 2 years, born Shipley, son of Hannah Dewhirst, widow.
1901 Shipley, Yorkshire Census: 3, Carr Lane - Ernest Dewhirst, aged 13 years, born Shipley. [Ernest was living with his uncle and aunt, Thompson and Louisa Swaine, née Flaxington.]
Ernest was married to Annie Welch in 1910. Annie married Higson Simpson in 1919.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 4, Birtwhistle's Yard - Ernest Dewhirst, aged 22 years, born Shipley, Yorkshire, husband of Annie Dewhirst.
Ernest is listed in the Nominal Roll of the 2/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment): 'C' Coy - Sgt E. Dewhirst.
Ernest was transferred from the 2/6th Bn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) to the 2/7th Bn. This could have been when he returned to duty after being wounded, or, when the 2/6th was disbanded on the 31 January 1918.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Sjt Ernest Dewhirst, 265031, W. Rid. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Sgt Ernest Dewhirst, 265031, 2/6 W. Rid. R.; 265031, 2/7 W. Rid. R. Died 18.5.18.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Sgt Ernest Dewhirst, 265031, 2/7th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 18.5.18 France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow and sole legatee - Annie Simpson. £37 4s. 5d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: Sgt Ernest Dewhirst, 265031, West Riding. Date and cause of death: 19.5.18. Suffocation. France. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Annie, born 9.2.86. Address: 7, Chancery Lane, Skipton. Children: Harold, born 15.3.12. Albert, born 6.2.16. Ernest, born 6.1.17.
In 1921 Annie, her four sons: Harold; Albert; Ernest; Hedley and husband, Higson, were living at 7, Chancery Lane, Skipton. In 1939 Annie and Higson were living at 74, Newmarket Street, Skipton.
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: ---
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Sergeant Ernest DEWHIRST
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
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Bienvillers Military Cemetery
CWGC Headstone
Courtesy of Colin Chadwick, Harrogate
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
07 June 1918
Sergeant Ernest Dewhirst, Skipton
Sergeant Ernest Dewhirst, who had served fourteen years in the local Volunteers and Territorials was, we regret to learn, killed in action in France on May 18th, an intimation to this effect having been received by his wife, who, with her three children, lives at No. 7 Chancery Lane, Skipton. Deceased, who was 30 years of age, was mobilised at the outbreak of war, and was well known as a crack shot in his Battalion of the West Riding Regiment. Before the war he was in the employment of Messrs. Shuttleworth, cotton manufacturers, of Earby, as a weaver, and previous to that he was employed at the Midland Railway Locomotive Shed at Skipton as an engine cleaner.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
07 June 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Sergeant E. Dewhurst Killed
Official information has been received of the death is action of Sergt. Ernest Dewhurst, Duke of Wellington’s Regt. Previous to the outbreak of war he was for 14 years a member of the Volunteer force, and was mobilised in August, 1914. Many of his old comrades will remember him as a crack shot. He was wounded about twelve months ago, and has only been on leave once since going out to France. In civil life Sergt. Dewhurst was employed as a weaver at Earby at Shuttleworths, cotton manufacturers, and previous to that on the Midland railway as engine cleaner. He leaves a wife and three children residing at 7, Chancery Lane, Skipton. He was 30 years of age.
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Thank you so much for collecting this information.
Ernest was my Great Grandfather, and no one in the family has seen a photograph of him. My mum (Ernest’s grandaughter) spent many years trying to find a picture of him to complete the family tree.
Ernest had 4 sons, my Grandad being his 4th son who, sadly, was born 3 months after Ernest was killed in 1918.
I am delighted to have finally seen a picture of him.
Thanks again,
Kate
Dear Ernest,
I’ve never seen your face till today. I am your great great grandaughter, I am now 48 years old.
I have tried to imagine what you would look like for many years, and now I know.
It is lovely to see you, I hope your son Robert saw this photo of you, you never met him as he was born when you were at war in France.
It’s an honour to finally meet you.
You were so very brave, leaving your loved ones behind to fight for them and your country.
From all your family now, we are so proud of you.
Your picture will go on my wall next to your son Robert and your granddaughter Marion. You are all together now.
RIP Ernest xxxx❤️?
Love from Victoria