Ernest Frederick Coote

An Air Mechanic 2nd Class with No. 12 Reserve Squadron, Ernest died on 10th of December 1916 at the age of 23. 

Ernest was born at Lowestoft in 1894, a son of Herbert Walter and Annie Charlotte Coote. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church, Lowestoft, on 4 February 1894 and his family lived at 15 Ontario Road, Kirkley. In 1901 his family lived at the Baker’s Shop, Kendal Road, Lowestoft. By 1911 they were living at 18 Winsley Road, Colchester, and Ernest was a waiter with the Great Eastern Railway Company. By November 1915 they were living at 37 Roman Road, Colchester, and later his parents lived at 69 Lawson Road, Lowestoft. 

Ernest was living at 37 Roman Road, Colchester, and working as a car attendant, when he enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps at Stratford, London, on 8 November 1915. 

The following note appeared in The Newsman (Essex) on 23 December 1916, page 3:

The death occurred at Cambridge Military Hospital (1st Eastern General Hospital) on December 10 after two operations for appendicitis of 2nd A.M. of Ernest F. Coote, aged 23, R.F.C., son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Coote, late of 37 Roman Road, Colchester. Mr. and Mrs. Coote have three other sons serving; one a prisoner in Germany. 

This notice was published in The Evening Star and Daily Herald, 23 December 1916, page 3:

YOUNG AIRMAN’S FUNERAL AT KIRKLEY

Ernest Coote, late of a Reserve Air Squadron, has been buried at Kirkley Cemetery. The unfortunate young man died at Cambridge Military Hospital, and the body brought to his parent’s home, 69, Lawson Road, South Lowestoft. He was formerly employed as a waiter on the G.E.R. restaurant cars, but joined up some time ago, entering the R.F.C. as an air mechanic. As an employee of the G.E.R. Company and a comrade in his squadron he was greatly respected. The deceased’s father has three sons serving their King and country, one of these being a prisoner of war in Germany. The deceased was accorded full military honours, a squad of airmen acting as bearers. The Rev. F. W. Emms, curate of Saint John’s officiated.