Ernest Ewart Curtis

A Private with 7th Bn., Ernest died on 13th of October 1915 at the age of 21. 

Ernest was born at Lowestoft in 1894, a son of Ernest Humphrey and Emma Sophia Curtis. In 1901 his family lived at 42 Beresford Road, Lowestoft, and this was Ernest's home for the rest of his life. In 1911 Ernest worked as a dental mechanic. 

Ernest volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment and served with the 7th Battalion, arriving in France with the Battalion on 30 May 1915. Ernest was wounded and his name appears in the official casualty list of 4 July 1915. Note: names always appeared in the official casualty lists a couple of weeks after the soldier had been wounded (hence the date of the list is not the date when the soldier was wounded). During June 1915 three men of the 7th Battalion were wounded. One on the 16th (shrapnel); one on the 17th (who died of wounds); one on the 26th. Ernest was either the soldier wounded on the 16th or the 26th and may have been the first man of the Battalion that was wounded during the war.  

The War Diary for the 7th Battalion has:

12 October. 5.45 p.m. Parade to take over trenches from 1st Guards Brigade near Hohenzollern Redoubt.

13 October. 12 noon. Intense bombardment of German lines by our artillery.
2 p.m. Attack commences in accordance with Battalion order.
B Company under cover of smoke attacked German trenches . .advancing over fire trench. Owing to smoke lifting and very heavy machine-gun fire . . this attack did not reach its objective but was instrumental in keeping out bomb attacks on (our) sap.
Major Currey, 2nd Lieutenants Hartopp and Lee were killed. Lieutenant Daveron wounded and about 70 other ranks killed and wounded. 
At the same time A Company supported the Norfolk bombers in attack a sap. Great opposition was encountered at first and many casualties occurred. The party eventually rushed the German barrier and proceeded to bomb a trench.
The machine-guns were ordered to follow this party and support advance with fire. 
Captain Cobbold was killed whilst leading the party of Suffolk bombers and 2nd Lieutenant Smith severely wounded.
As the Suffolk bombers had become expended when the point G.5.d.10.3 was reached and the attack checked in consequence. O.C. A Company was ordered to consolidate his position on the line gained. 
At the same time D Company supported the Norfolk bombers in attacking a sap. This attack was temporarily held up by German bombers at their barrier which was eventually rushed by D Company.
Captain Henty was wounded and Captain Sorley and Lieutenant Wood killed whilst leading the attack. 
Lieutenant Deighton then took command and by bombing down the trench drove the enemy back . . when this point was reached it was reported that the bombs had been used up. D was ordered to consolidate this position.
As soon as points G.5.d.10.3 and G.6.c.2.1 were reached there were pushed forward 3 Suffolk and 1 Northamptonshire machine-guns with the object of establishing a strong point at G.5.d.9.1 and commanding the approach from the enemy’s trenches which had been closed by us with double stops. This arrangement proved quite satisfactory as by it the German bombers were easily kept at a distance by rifle and machine-gun fire. 
Casualties: eight officers killed and three wounded. 150 Other Ranks killed and wounded.    

A notice in the Lowestoft Journal of 6 November 1915, page 5, reads:

KILLED IN ACTION

PRIVATE E. E. CURTIS

Mr. and Mrs. Curtis of 42, Beresford Road, have received official news of the death of their eldest and loved son Ernest E. Curtis, who was killed in action in France on October 13th. He was 21 years of age. He enlisted the first week of the war, and joined the 7th Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment, being in the same battalion up to the time of his death. His commanding officer writes: "His loss is felt by the whole Company, where he was held in high esteem." He was for some years with Mr. E. Horne, dentist, London Road North, where he was held in the highest esteem by his employer and workmates. He was a member of the Lowestoft Literary and Scientific Association, the Y.M.C.A., and also of the Wesleyan Church and choir, Tonning Street. 
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis desire to thank the many friends who have sent their expressions of sympathy in their sad loss.