Ernest William Roberts

A Sergeant 54th (1/1st East Anglian) Casualty Clearing Station, Ernest died on 13th august 1915 at the age of 35. 

Ernest was born at Ipswich in 1881, a son of Charles King and Emma Roberts. He was baptised at Saint Helen's Church, Ipswich, on 7th August 1881 and his family lived at 39 Wells Street, Ipswich. By 1891 his family were living at 132 Woodhouse Street, Ipswich. Later his parents lived at 249 Foxhall Road, Ipswich.

Ernest worked in insurance and by 1907 he was an insurance agent. He married Ethel Rose Edwards, of Urchfont, Wiltshire, at Urchfont parish church on 19 June 1907. 

By 1911 Ernest and Ethel were living at 749 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, and Ernest was an insurance agent with Prudential Assurance. Subsequently they moved to Lowestoft and Ernest worked as an insurance superintendent. 

Ernest was living at 35 John Street when he volunteered and he joined the Army on 4 February 1915. He served with the local territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps which became part of the 54th (1/1st East Anglian) Casualty Clearing Station. Ernest was promoted to Acting Sergeant on 10 February 1915 and Sergeant on 30 July 1915. 

Ernest embarked the Royal Edward at Devonport on 30 July 1915 and arrived at Alexandria on 11 August 1915. The Royal Edward sailed for Gallipoli on 12 August, but was torpedoed and sunk on 13 August. Ernest was reported 'missing, believed drowned in the sinking of the Royal Edward.'

Probate records show Ernest and Ethel's address as 35 John Street, Lowestoft. After Ernest's death Ethel returned to Urchfont, Wiltshire.