Ernest FRENCH

Main CPGW Record

Surname: FRENCH

Forename(s): Ernest

Place of Birth: Gargrave, Yorkshire

Service No: 32221

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: King’s (Shropshire Light Infantry)

Battalion / Unit: 6th (Service) Battalion

Division: 20th (Light) Division

Age: 32

Date of Death: 1917-08-16

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 112 to 113.

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial(s): Not Listed (View Names Not Listed on a Local War Memorial)

Additional Information:

Ernest French was the son of Caleb and Elizabeth French, née Whitaker. Caleb was born at Embsay and Elizabeth at Gargrave, Yorkshire. Ernest was the cousin of Private Frank Ayrton (62480) (q.v.).

1891 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: Ray Bridge - Ernest French, aged 5 years, born Gargrave, son of Caleb and Elizabeth French.

1901 Salterforth, Yorkshire Census: Alpha Street - Ernest French, aged 16 years, born Gargrave, Yorkshire, son of Caleb and Elizabeth French.

1911 Barrowford, Lancashire Census: 17, Dixon Street - Ernest French, aged 25 years, born Gargrave, Yorkshire. [Ernest was living with his sister Agnes and brother-in-law Willie Priestley.]

Ernest was married to Susannah Ramsbottom in 1912.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Ernest Trench [sic], 32221, K.S.L.I.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Ernest Trench [sic], 32221, Shrops L.I. Infantry Base Depot; 6 Shrops L.I.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Ernest French, 32221, 6th Battn Shropshire L.I. Date and Place of Death: 6.8.17. Belgium. In action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Susannah. £6 11s. 1d.

Ernest is commemorated on the Barrowford War Memorial.

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).

Photograph courtesy of Dennis French.

Data Source: Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-19 Records

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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---

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