Ernest Isaac Hanton

A Private with the 1st Battalion, Ernest died on 7th of December 1917 at the age of 19. 

Ernest was born at Lowestoft on 4 October 1898. He was baptised at Saint John's Church, Lowestoft, on 28 October 1898, a son of Isaac and Louisa Hanton, and his family lived at 32 Maidstone Road. Ernest attended Hervey Street School and, from 7 January 1907, was a pupil at Saint John's School. Between 1907 and 1911 his family moved from Maidstone Road to 2 Clarence Road. Later his parents lived at Sanatorium Lodge, Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft.

Ernest enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. Soldiers Died in the Great War states that he joined the 9th Kent Yeomanry Cyclist Regiment, service number 3859. This unit was formed in the Ipswich area, during October 1916, from men from the 2/1st East Kent Yeomanry and the 2/1st Royal West Kent Yeomanry. Later he was transferred to the The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), service number G/21878, and served with the 7th Battalion before being posted to the 1st Battalion. 

On 3 December 1917 the 1st Buffs took up positions at Highland Ridge, near Marcoing. The Battalion War Diary for 7 December 1917 gives no detail other than: 3 Other Ranks killed, 3 Other Ranks wounded (died same day), 2nd Lieutenant Clark died of wounds, Lieutenant Wood accidentally wounded.