Ernest George Weavers

A Private with 13th Bn., Ernest died on 28th of September 1915 at the age of 26. 

Ernest was born at Carlton Colville in 1890, a son of Benjamin and Rosanna Weavers. He was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville, on 29 July 1890, and his family lived at Carlton Colville. A note in the baptism register says ‘Died for England September 26th 1915’.

In 1891 his family lived at Bell Corner, Carlton Colville. In 1901 they lived at Mortuway (sic), Carlton Colville. Later his parents lived at Peacock Terrace, Carlton Colville. 

By 1911 Ernest was a Police Constable with Essex Constabulary and he lived at The Police Station, Springfield Court, Chelmsford. Later he lived at Westcliff. 

Ernest volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Southend. He joined the Middlesex Regiment and was posted to the 13th Battalion. He arrived in France with the Battalion on 2 September 1915. 

Between 25 and 29 September the 13th Battalion were involved in the Battle of Loos. The Battalion War Diary (edited) has:

25 September 

The Battalion received orders to march about 10 a.m. and marched east along the Vermelles Road . . . On arrival about 12 noon west of Sailly-la-Bourse the battalion was diverted to the left and formed up west of a small stream west of Vermelles . . . soon after 4 p.m. instructions were received to move up east of Vermelles, which was done in gathering darkness. The battalion assembled near the railway at the west end of a long communication trench (Barts Alley) leading from the original fire trenches, some ¾ mile to the front. Here the battalion for the first time came under fire (shells and rifle fire). About 11 p.m. the battalion advanced (in artillery formation) over the open and occupied trenches (Old British Support line) which were in many places full of water . . . Fosse No 8 de Bethune, and the Hohenzollern Redoubt were to the left front and Hulluch Quarries, to their front and Loos to the right front. Shell fire and frequent bursts of rifle fire continued all night.

26 September

About 3 a.m. . . . the Adjutant and 2 Companies A and D, proceeded across the open to the left front towards the “Slag Heap” of No 8 Fosse. 1 platoon of B Company accompanied the Brigadier General as escort. From this time this party of the battalion were continuously under heavy shell and rifle fire, repeated attacks being made by the Germans on the trenches that they held, and by skilful use of machine guns and counter attacks by bombers, they successfully held their own, although suffering several casualties from the enemy’s fire, and feeling severely the want of food and water.

NOTE: At this point the battalion was divided into two and each and slightly different experiences in the battle

The following details relate to A and D Companies:

26 – 29 September

A Company was on the left, occupied a position of the trench going to the right facing the Slag Heap, and a portion of “slag alley” (a communication trench on the south-west side of the slag heap Fosse No 8). D Company was on the right joining up with the 2nd Queens facing Haimes Church. 

Heavy fighting on the left of the line . . the position of the two Companies of the Battalion very . precarious ., but it held on to its ground until relieved on the morning of the 29th, when the party numbering about 170 all ranks marched back to Beuvry, and thence by train to Lillers and marched to Lambres where they rejoined the remainder of the Battalion, in billets, about 11 a.m. on Thursday the 30th.

The following details relate to B and C Companies:  

After the two companies had gone to the advanced trenches on the Sunday morning [26 September] the other Companies (B & C) were extended to occupy the length of trenches previously held by the battalion. About 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon most of them moved to the trenches 100 yards or so in front owing to shell fire, which had found out the exact range of the occupied trenches.

27 September 

A similar further change had to be made on the Monday afternoon owing to the same cause. A heavy attack was made about 5 p.m. by the Germans on the left, but was repulsed by men of various regiments . . . Throughout Monday night those attacks were constantly repeated, but in every case were successfully met.

28 September 

About 8 a.m. battalion was relieved and received orders to withdraw which it did by Barts Alley. After a short rest, it marched through Vermelles to Sailly-la-Bourse, where it was visited by Major General Sir J. Ramsay Commander of 24th Division, who warmly congratulated the battalion on the work it had done. 

We do not know which company Ernest served with but, given the fact that he was killed in action on 28 September, it is probable that he served with A or D Company. 

The Battalion’s losses for the period 25 to 29 September were:

Officers: wounded 7; wounded and prisoner of war 1; missing 1
Other Ranks: killed 13; missing believed killed 11; missing 12; missing and prisoner of war 1; wounded 119. 

For a comprehensive overview of the activities of the 13th Battalion see: 13th Middlesex Regt. - WW1 - War Diary | Transcription of the battalion war diary and other info (wordpress.com)

A letter from Private V. Atterby of the 13th Middlesex Regiment, published in the Southend Standard of 21 October 1915, page 5, mentions Ernest:

We have been relieved from the trenches and all of us came out of action together. There were only a few who did not, and amongst them was Private Weavers, who, I see, is in your Roll of Honour. He belonged to our regiment and I knew him very well, and feel deeply sorry for his relatives. He was a fine fellow, and the last time I saw him was just before we went into the trenches which we so splendidly held.