Ernest Davenport

Ernest was born in 1896 in Mansfield and was the son of Herbert a labourer and Maria Davenport of 210 New Victoria Street, Mansfield. Herbert was born in 1861 and Maria in 1858, both in Mansfield, they were married c1886 and went on to have a total of 9 children, all born in Mansfield. They were Herbert b1884 , Alice b1885, James b1887, John b1889, Albert b1892, Walter b1894, Ernest b1896 and Willey b1900. In the 1911 census the family are living at 16 Union Street, Mansfield. Herbert is 50 yrs of age and a labourer in tar making, he is living with his wife Maria 53 yrs and their children, Herbert 37 yrs a coal miner, Walter 17 yrs and a coal miner, Ernest 15 yrs a moulder in an iron foundry and Willey 11 yrs and still at school.

Worked at a local Iron Foundry.

210 New Victoria Street, Mansfield.

Ernest attested at Newark on 10th November 1914 shortly after war was declared and joined the 2/8th territorial battalion Sherwood Foresters, He gave his age as 18 years and 7 months; his occupation as that of a moulder. He stated he was working for Sanderson and Robinson Ltd of Mansfield. His next of kin was his father, Herbert, of the same address. In 1916 during the Irish Rebellion, Ernest and his battalion went out to Ireland. It was while in Dublin on 26th May 1916 that he and a party forced their way into one of the houses held by the rebels during which time he was shot in the head. He succumbed to his injuries and died on the 28th May 1916. His body was returned to his family and his funeral was carried out with full military honours at St Aiden's Chapel and he was later buried in Nottingham Road, Cemetery, Mansfield. Ernest was one of 31 men of the Sherwood Foresters who died as a result of the Irish Rebellion 1916.

Surname is also recorded as Devonport and Devenport. Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser; 01/06/1916; Death Announcement. Pte Ernest Davenport, aged 20 died on 28/05/1916: 08/06/1916 Military Funeral for Ernest Davenport. He was wounded during the riots in Dublin. Service held at St Aiden's Chapel and then interred at Nottingham Road, Cemetery. An article published on 9th June 1916 in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times :- “MILITARY FUNERAL at MANSFIELD “A military funeral was accorded the remains of Private Ernest Davenport of the 2-6th [sic] Sherwood Foresters, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Davenport, 210, Victoria-street, Mansfield, on Friday afternoon. [2nd June 1916] One of five brothers in the army, the the deceased was only 20 years of age. He proceeded to Dublin with the Sherwoods and with a party he forced his way into one of the houses held by the rebels. He was injured on the head, and succumbed to his injuries. “The first part of the burial service was conducted at St. Aidan's Church by the Rev. P. W. Seymour, in a most solemn and impressive manner. The coffin was afterwards placed on a gun-carriage, drawn by six black mules, preceded by a band playing alternately the “Dead March,” and Chopin's “Funeral March.” In addition to the hand there was a firing party, which fired three volleys over the grave, and the buglers sounded the “Last Post.” On the coffin, the inscription read: “Ernest Davenport. Died 28th May, 1916. Aged 20 years.” “The bearers were T. Wilson, R. Barker, J. Sweeney, A. Markey, T. Trueman and E. Austin. “The mourners were: Father and mother, Mr. W. Davenport, Mr. H. Davenport, Mrs. Frost. Mrs. Holmes, Mr. J. Davenport, Mr. and Mrs. Paulger, Mrs. Della, Mrs. Alice Davenport, Mrs. Annie Davenport, Mrs. H. Davenport, Mrs. Lees, Mrs. Jackson and Mr. G. Holmes. “Floral tributes were sent by: Father, mother and Willie, sister Alice and children, brother Albert, wife and children, grandfather, aunt Alice, uncle Fred and cousin, brother Herbert and wife, neighbours and friends, St. Aidan's Mothers' Union, Mr. and Mrs. Thornelow, Hilda, Ethel, brother John, wife and children, and his former work mates. “The funeral was personally conducted by Mr. Henry Potts.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 His brother, Albert, was killed on 29/05/1918 whilst serving with the Leicestershire Regiment. Family dedication on CWGC headstone: 'He died that his country might live.'