Ernest Wright

Ernest was the son of William Stevenson and Emma Wright (née Page). Both his parents were born in Ruddington and they were married at Ruddington St Peter on 21 August 1885. They had nine children of whom only five were still living in 1911. Seven children have been traced on the census between 1891 and 1911. Apart from the eldest, Harriett, who was born in Ruddington, the other six were born in Lancashire: Harriett b. 1885 (reg. Basford) d. 1898 (reg. Prescot Lancs); Ernest b. Widnes 1888; Elizabeth b. 1890 (reg. Prescot) d. 1891 (reg, O/N/D Prescot); Lilian b. 1892 (reg. Prescot); Ethel b. 1894 (reg. Chorlton); William b. 1897 (reg. Prescot) and John (Jack) birth registered 1900 (J/F/M reg Lunesdale). In 1891 the family was living in Widnes, Lancashire: William a copper works labourer, Emma, Harriet (5), Ernest (3) and Elizabeth (1). Also in the home was Emma's brother, Herbert Page (18 b. Ruddington) who was also a copper works labourer. Elizabeth died later that year and Harriet in 1898. By 1901 William, a coal miner chargeman, and Emma were living in Thringstone, Leciestershire. with their five surviving children, Ernest, Lilian (9), Ethel (6), William (4) and John (16m). Also in the household were William's younger brothers, George a coal miner, and James a labourer. William, a farm labourer, and Emma had returned to Nottingham by 1911 and were living at 52 Midland Crescent with Ernest an engine cleaner, Lilian and Ethel who were both lace workers, William an errand boy, and John who was still at school. Also in the home was Reginald Wilson (2, Reginald Harold b. 1909 J/A/S Nottingham) who was described as their adopted child. The family later moved to 81 King's Meadow Road, Meadows, Nottingham. Ernest's mother completed a form for the army in April 1919 listing her son's surviving blood relatives. She named: Parents: William and Emma Wright, 81 King's Meadow Road Brothers: William (22) and John (19), 81 King's Meadow Road Sisters: Lilian Holmes (27) 2 Newcastle Road and Ethel Sweet (24) 81 King's Meadow Road.

In 1911 he was an engine cleaner. He was a bricklayer when he attested in September 1914.

Residence Nottingham, enlisted Nottingham

2nd Bn Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own). Ernest attested on 1 September 1914 at the age of 26y 191d, and joined for training on 4 September. He served at home until 3 January 1915 (125 days) and then with the BEF France from 4 January. He was killed in action on 12 March 1915 having served a total of 193 days. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France (Panel 44). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Le Touret Memorial (extract): 'The Le Touret Memorial commemorates over 13,400 British soldiers who were killed in this sector of the Western Front from the beginning of October 1914 to the eve of the Battle of Loos in late September 1915 and who have no known grave ... Almost all of the men commemorated on the Memorial served with regular or territorial regiments from across the United Kingdom and were killed in actions that took place along a section of the front line that stretched from Estaires in the north to Grenay in the south. This part of the Western Front was the scene of some of the heaviest fighting of the first year of the war, including the battles of La Bassée (10 October – 2 November 1914), Neuve Chapelle (10 – 12 March 1915), Aubers Ridge (9 – 10 May 1915), and Festubert (15 – 25 May 1915).'

Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 10 March 1916: ‘Wright. In loving memory of our dear brother, Ernest, killed in action, March 10th (sic), 1915. Ever in our thoughts. Lilian, Arthur and Will.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 10 March 1916: ‘Wright. In loving memory of my dear son Ernest, killed in action March 10th (sic), 1915. They miss him most who love him best, Mother, brothers, and sister Ethel.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 11 March 1918: 'Wright. In loving memory of Rifleman Ernest Wright, killed in action March 10th (sic) 1915. Ever remembered by mother, sisters Lillian and Ethel, brother Will in Egypt, Jack, Arthur, Will in France.' Wright's sole legatee was his father William who, curiously, is not included in the newspaper tribute. UKSWD cites Bootle as place of birth, other sources Widnes. Research by David Nunn