Inscription family gravestone, Basford Cemetery, Nottingham: 'In loving memory of Lilian Agnes Pace, who died May 4th 1903, aged 23 years. Also of Edith Marian, beloved child of Thomas & Edith Marian Pool who died September 5th 1903. Aged 2 years. Also of Ernest Charles Pool, RNAS, killed in action at Zeebrugge, April 23rd 1918, aged 20 years. Also of Thomas, loving husband of Edith Marian Pool, who died January 25th 1944 aged 72 years. Also the above named Edith Marian, who died May 18th 1950, aged 78 years.'
Nottingham Evening Post notice, 26 April 1918: 'Pool. Killed in action around April 23rd, Ernest Charles Pool 1st Class Air Mechanic RNAS, age 20. Eldest son of Mr and Mrs T Pool, Milner Road, Sherwood, late of High Pavement School.'
Extract from a report from a Nottingham paper of the funeral of two local men who died in the Zeebrugge operation:
'DIED AT ZEEBRUGGE. NOTTINGHAM HEROES BURIED AT BASFORD'
'Two local heroes of the Zeebrugge operations on St. George’s Day were laid to rest on Monday in the quiet cemetery at Basford – George Smith (Royal Marines) and Ernest Charles Pool (Royal Naval Air Service).'
'Smith, who had served 15 years in the Marines, was a native of Hyson Green, his home being in Carver-street. He succumbed to wounds sustained in action.'
'Pool was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Pool, of Milner-road, Sherwood. Twenty years of age, he was educated at High-pavement Secondary School, of whose staff his father is a well-known member. On leaving school he entered the employment of Messrs. Boots Ltd., and acquiring a knowledge of chemistry went into a scientific branch of the R.N.A.S. He was killed by a shell, and his parents received the following letter from his commanding officer:- “The officers and men are proud of the part played by your son in the now famous action against the Belgian coast and hope the knowledge that he volunteered for so gallant an action will be a source of comfort to you in your loss.”'
'By desire of Mr. and Mrs. Pool there was no military honours at their son’s internment. A number of High-pavement teachers (including Miss A. Swann, Miss Tinsley, Miss G. Tinsley, Mr. H. Evans, Mr. C. Coggins, M. Jordan) were present, as well as some of the scholars.'
'The Zeebrugge Raid 1918: The finest feat of arms’, Paul Kendal, Spellmount (History Press) 2009, p309, casualty list: EC Pool RN, HMS President.
Nottingham Evening Post, 27 January1944; ‘Former High Pavement Master. The death has taken place of Mr Thomas Pool of13 Milne-road Sherwood who for 42 years until his retirement on August 31st 1934, was a mathematics master at High Pavement School. Mr Pool, who was 73 years of age, received his training at Borough-road College, London, and was appointed to the staff of what was then known as the High Pavement Higher Grade School on January 1st 1892 ... He leaves a widow and two sons.’ (wwwbritishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate: Pool Thomas of 13 Milner-road Sherwood Nottingham died 25 January 1944 probate Nottingham 11 March to Kenneth Francis Pool chartered accountant. Effects £2139 8s. 10d.
Probate; Pool Edith Marian of 13 Milner-road Sherwood Nottingham widow died 18 May 1950 Proabte Nottingham 2 August to Arthur George Pool professor of economics and Kenneth Francis Pool chartered accountant. Effects £3421 13s. 9d.