Ernest's Story.
Ernest Lightfoot was born on the 3rd June 1895 the son of Nathaniel , Boiler Rivetter, and Susan Lightfoot, and had three older brothers, Arthur, Thomas and Albert, who was killed 3 months prior to Ernest.
Corporal Albert Lightfoot, 19th Battalion, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment),
Service No 17412, died 27/07/1917
He also had an two sisters , Ethel (25) and Nellie (18) in the 1911 census.
He was an old boy of the Parish School and was a member of the Duke of Devonshire Lodge of Oddfellows, making many friends. He worked at the Salt Union Works at Weston Point.
Ernest first enlisted into the Cheshire Regiment in September 1914, and was discharged 10 weeks later. In October 1916 he re-enlisted into the Army Service Corps (Motor Transport), service number 273555, and was later transferred to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, before going out to France on the 4th July 1917.
His parents were told of his death via a letter from one of his comrades which read as follows
“ I am sorry to inform you that your son, Ernest, was killed on the above date. He was killed instantly by shrapnel, so did not suffer any pain. I have known your son for the last four years and found him an honest and sober young man. He was very much liked by his comrades of this company, and was a good and kind hearted young fellow “
The entry in the war diary for this date states that the battalion where “Right BN Greenland Hill Sector”, and that between 9am and 12 noon, killed OR 1, wounded OR 1. The soldier killed must have been Ernest.
He is buried in Sunken Road Cemetery, Fampoux, Pas de Calais. France. Plot 1. Row B Grave 33.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Compiled by Graeme Ainsworth with assistance from Percy Dunbavand.