Ernest James

A Private with 4th Bn., Ernest died on 27th of September 1915 at the age of 23. 

Ernest was born at Lound in 1893, a son of Alfred and Harriet Sophy James. Ernest was baptised at Sint John the Baptist Church, Lound, on 30 April 1893. 

In 1901 his family lived at 3 Back Lane, Lound. By 1911 they were living at Stone Cottage, Lound, and later their address was 1 Back Lane, Lound.

In 1911 Ernest worked as an odd-boy at 12 Carlton Terrace House, London. He worked for Sir Savile Crossley who, in 1916, became Baron Somerleyton in 1916. 

Ernest volunteered and enlisted in the Army at London. He joined the Grenadier Guards and was posted to the 4th Battalion. He arrived in France with the Battalion on 16 August 1915. 

At 8.15 p.m. on 26 September 1915 the 4th Battalion arrived at a trench line behind Vermelles. There was some shelling during the morning of 27 September and the battalion were informed that they were to lead an attack on Hill 70. The battalion moved off at 2.30 p.m., heading up the Vermelles – Douai Road. Just before they arrived at the top of the ridge they moved into artillery formation, but were warned, by an artillery officer not to go any further along that route. The battalion then moved left and advanced, still in artillery formation, towards the north-west corner of Loos. During this time they faced considerable shell-fire and, just as they were approaching Loos, the shell-fire intensified and the battalion had to take cover in trenches or behind houses. At this moment the German bombardment of Loos became very intense and gas shells were used. 
The men were ordered to move through the town under heavy shell fire and gas. Eventually they reached a shallow trench, just outside the town, facing Hill 70, where they prepared to attack. However, it was realised that they did not have sufficient numbers to mount the attack and reported this fact, but they were, at 5.30 p.m. ordered to join with the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards to make the attack. 
They attack was made, but soon became held up by the enemy fire. Some of the men were ordered to dig themselves in on the Hulluch Road. The Brigadier ordered that men should be sent forward to ‘dig a line’ on Hill 70 and, the next day, it was found that about 50 men of the battalion were at Hill 70. 

Three officers and 73 men of the battalion were killed in 27 September.