Ernest Arthur Ashworth

A Private with the 4th Battalion, Ernest died on 12th of February 1942 aged 25.

Ernest was born at Lowestoft on 26 November 1916, a son of Ernest Arthur and Alice Amelia Ashworth. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church on 16 December 1916 and his family lived at 8 Essex Road. In 1939 Ernest lived at 10 Essex Road and was a semi-skilled coach painter.

Ernest served with the 4th Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment. In autumn 1940 the Battalion was on coastal defence in the Great Yarmouth area and then moved to Brooke, and then Cambridge. In early 1941 the Battalion was sent to Scotland, then Blackburn, and Ross-on-Wye. On 29 October 1941 the Battalion sailed from Liverpool and landed at Bombay on 29 December 1941 as part of the 18th (East Anglian) Division. On 19 January 1942 the Battalion re-embarked for Singapore and landed there on 29 January 1942. On 11 February the Battalion went into action at the racecourse, before falling back to defend the perimeter. On 15 February the British forces at Singapore were forced to surrender and the remaining men of the 4th Battalion went into captivity. 

Ernest was official reported as missing on 15 February 1942. Official Casualty List 1904, of 7 November 1945, shows that John was officially recorded as having been killed in action on 12 February 1942. Accounts shows that he was killed Bukit Timah and mention ‘Plan 19/3 Map reference 788151’ it is unclear whether this is where he was last seen, or if this is where he was thought to have been killed or buried.