Ernest William Hembling

A Gunner with 277 Battery, 68 (Midlands) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Ernest died on 3rd of January 1943 aged 36. 

Ernest was born at Lowestoft on 24 November 1906, a son of Christopher George and Mary Ann Hembling. In 1911 his family lived at 19 Mariners Street. By 1921 his family were living at 54 Mariners Street. 

Ernest was a general labourer when he enlisted in the Royal Marines, service number Ch 24774, at London, on 29 September 1925.  

On 26 October 1929 Ernest married Muriel Emma Jude at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. Ernest was a marine and give his address as 54 Mariners Street, Lowestoft, and Muriel was a waitress living at 6 Harbour Road.
Ernest was discharged from the Royal Marines on 11 April 1934 ‘no longer physical fit’ for service. By 1939 Ernest and Muriel were living at 10 Compass Street, and Ernest was a general labourer. 

Ernest joined the Royal Artillery in 1941. He joined the 68th (Midlands) Anti-Aircraft Regiment. His regiment had arrived at Port Said, Egypt, in April 1941. Many of the regiment were captured at Tobruk on 20 June 1942 and it appears that Ernest was one of them. 

Official casualty list 922, dated 7 September 1942, states that Ernest was a prisoner of war and states that he was captured in the Middle East. Ernest was taken to Italy and was held at Camp 201, near Milan. Ernest developed severe broncho pulmonnitis (pneumonitis?) and died at Camp 201. He was buried at the British Empire Cemetery, Milan, which was later renamed Milan War Cemetery.