Ernest Charles Pool

Ernest Charles was the eldest surviving child of Thomas and Edith Marian Pool nee Page. Thomas Pool was the son of William Pool and was born in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, on 1 February 1871. Edith Marian Page was the daughter of Robert Page and was born on 17 April 1872, also in Leighton Buzzard. Thomas and Edith were married at All Saints parish church, Leighton Buzzard,on 9 August 1893. According to the information provided on the 1911 census, they had five children of whom two died in infancy including Edith Marian who died at the age of two on 5 September 1903. Their surviving children were; Ernest Charles b. 12 February 1898, Arthur George b. 2 April 1905 (A/M/J Nottingham) and Kenneth Francis b. 25 November 1910 (1911 J/F/M Nottingham). in 1901 Thomas (30), a certificated teacher, and Edith (28) were living in Basford with their only child, Ernest (3). However, in 1902 a Nottingham directory gives their address as 21 Sandon Street, Nottingham, and Thomas' occupation as assistant school master. By 1911 the family was living at 13 Milner Road,Sherwood, Nottingham. Thomas and Edith now had three sons, Ernest (13), who was at school, Arthur (6) and Kenneth (4 months). The family home was still at 13 Milner Road at the time of Ernest's death in April 1918 and although the 1939 England and Wales Register shows Thomas and Edith living in Swansea, Glamorgan, by 1941 they were back at Milner Road, where they continued to live until their deaths. Thomas died on 25 January 1944 aged 72 years and Edith Marian on 18 May 1950 aged 78 years. Of Ernest's brothers: Arthur George married Mary E Fenton in 1930 (J/A/S Swansea Glamorganshire). In 1939 Arthur was living in Sheffield where he was a university lecturer in economics; he was later to become a professor of economics. Arthur died on 6 March 1963 at the age of 57; his address at the time of his death was 26 Stoughton Drive, North Leicester. Kenneth Francis married Kathleen M Youngman (b. 26 June 1907) in 1938 (A/M/J Nottingham) and in 1939 they were living at 39 Grange Road, Arnold, Nottingham. Kenneth was a chartered accountant. Kathleen died in 1995 and Kenneth in 2006 (Jul Leicester) aged 96. He was then living at Knighton Court, Knighton Park Road, Leicester.

He attended High Pavement School where his father was a member of staff. He was employed by Boots Ltd. as an assistant dispenser.

Ernest joined the Royal Navy on 30 March 1916 on an 'hostilities only' engagement. He served in the following shore establishents: President II (Stratford), 30 March 1916-31 March 1918 (AMII, AMI September 1916); President V (Stratford), 1 April 1918-23 April 1918. Ernest was attached to HMS Iris II at the time of his death. The ship was the requisitioned River Mersey ferry, Iris, which had been modified as an assault ship. Iris took part in the Zeebrugge Raid to block the German U-boat exit to the sea on St George's Day 1918 and Ernest was killed by a shell during the action. His service document was annotated: ‘NP 4018/18. DD 23 April 1918. Killed in action operations off (-) coast.’ The document was also marked up ‘Participated in ballot for VC granted for operational losses against Zeebrugge Ostend, 22-23 April 1918 (London Gazette date illegible)’ He was buried in Nottingham (New Basford) Cemetery (Section C.1.24).

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.