Ernest Frederick William Hales

A Private with the 8th Battalion, Ernest died on 28th of September 1916 at the age of 33. 

Ernest was born at Lowestoft on 7 December 1883, a son of Edward and Eliza Hales. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 3 February 1884. In 1891 his family lived at 11 Cathcart Street. By 1901 they were living at 80 Clapham Road and Ernest was a bricklayer, possibly working with his father. Ernest's mother died in 1902. Later his father lived at 25 Bevan Street. 

Ernest enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 24977, and was posted to the 8th Battalion in France.  

On 26 September 1916 the 8th Battalion were involved in an attack on Thiepval and the Schwaben Redoubt. The 8th Battalion were at the vanguard of the attack and had the Schwaben trench as their first objective. The attack was a success and both the first line objective, and the second objective, Zollern trench, were taken. At 1 p.m. the attack was renewed with C and C Companies attacking the Bulgar trench and then the Schwaben Redoubt. The first objective was taken fairly easily but they met stubborn resistance at the Schwaben Redoubt.

The Battalion’s sustained over 200 casualties between 26 and 28 September.

Ernest was reported missing and his death was presumed to have taken place on, or since, 28 September.  

Ernest’s brother in law, Ernest Larke, served with the 7th Battalion Suffolk Regiment and died in 1916.