Ernest Samuel Read

A Private with 10th Bn. Ernest died on 24th of July 1917 at the age of 36. 

Ernest was born at Lowestoft in 1881, a son of Samuel and Maria Read. In 1891 his family lived at 89 London Road, Lowestoft. His parents later lived at 6 Morton Road, Lowestoft. 

In 1901 Ernest worked as a draper's assistant at Benjamin Parker's drapery shop, 86 High Street, Lowestoft, and this is also where he lodged. Ernest married Margaret Ellen Riches in 1907. In 1911 they lived at 25 Rochester Road, Lowestoft, and Ernest was a draper's assistant. Later they lived at 20 Morton Road. After Ernest's death Margaret lived at Lower Harleston, Northampton.

Ernest enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. Initially he served with the 11th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, service number 290713, and later he was transferred to The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) and posted to the 10th Battalion in France. 

On 18 July 1917 the 10th Battalion moved to a camp at Westoutre, Belgium. An attack training practice took place between 19 and 24 July and during the practice seven men were killed and six wounded. Ernest was wounded: sustaining a gunshot wound and a compound fracture to a femur. He was taken to No 11 Casualty Clearing Station, at Godewaersvelde, where he died from his wounds.