Ernest William Larke

A Private with the 7th Battalion, Ernest died on 12th of October 1916 at the age of 36. 

Ernest was born at Lowestoft in 1880, a son of Frederick William and Charlotte Elizabeth Larke. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 7 March 1880. In 1881 his family lived at the Mariners Inn, 54 Mariners Street, where his father was the innkeeper. By 1891 they were living at 26 Bevan Street. In early 1901 Ernest lodged at 7 Surrey Street, Lowestoft, with Alfred Hales, Maud’s brother, and Ernest worked as a coachman. 

On 10 November 1901 Ernest married Maud Radley Hales at Saint John’s Church, Lowestoft. Ernest was a coachman living at Belvedere Road, and Maud lived at 80 Clapham Road. In 1911 they lived at 4 Old Market Street, Lowestoft, and Ernest was a cab driver. Later Maud lived at 11 Chapel Street, before moving to Anerly, London. 

Ernest volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, number 9344, and was posted to the 7th Battalion. He arrived in France with the Battalion on 30 May 1915.

The War Diary for the 7th Battalion has:

10 October 1916

Relieved 11th Middlesex in Bulls Runs, near Flers, four companies in front line.

12 October 1916

Attack to be made on Bayonet Trench and Luisenhoff Farm. Morning very quiet.
5 a.m. Battalion lying in shell holes in front ready.
10 a.m. Major Henty went forward to advance Battalion Headquarters in Grass Street to receive reports.
2 p.m. Zero. Attack started. German barrage very intense. Battalion proceeded in four waves, each company with a platoon front.
No definite report until 6 p.m. when Battalion was back in front line having failed to attain objective.
B and D Companies gained objective, but were driven out by superior numbers.
1st Essex on right gained objective but were unable to hold it, finally and they managed to keep part of it.
Battalion withdrew to reserve in Flers Trench. 

Colonel Murphy, in history of the Suffolk Regiment, felt that the attack failed because the enemy wire had only partially been destroyed and that the British barrage was ineffective.

All fifteen officers that went over the top became casualties: eleven killed and four wounded. Ninety two other ranks were killed and, in total, the Battalion had over 500 casualties.  

Ernest was reported missing and later presumed to have died on or since 12 October.  

Ernest’s brother in law, Ernest Hales, served with the 8th Battalion Suffolk Regiment and died in 1916.