Private Ernest Leonard Boutell
| Date of Birth | 1883 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 35 |
| Date of Death | 21 November 1918 |
| Service Number | M2/053127 (CWGC) or M2/051327 (Medal record) |
| Military Service | Royal Army Service Corps 14th Div. M.T. Coy |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | St. Saviour’s Church, Raynes Park |
Additional Information
Ernest Leonard Boutell was born in Bishop’s Stortford in 1883 and christened on 10 August 1884 in Rickmansworth. He was the son of Charles and Annie Boutell.
In 1891 he lived at 230 Orchard Road, Stevenage. He was 8 years old and had brothers William (18) and Morris (4) and sisters Lillian (12), and Beatrice (6). By 1901 the family had moved to Watford where his father was Inspector of Police. They lived in police accommodation.
On 24th November 1906 Ernest married Alice Louisa Chesher in Bushey, Herts. By 1911 they were living at 9 Up Stonnell’s Flats, Long Lane, East Finchley with Dorothy Alice Chesher (10) – Alice’s daughter? Ernest was working as a van salesman (miller). His father had retired and moved to Hertfordshire.
Ernest enlisted in March 1915. He disembarked 10.05.15 and died in France 21 November 1918. On his death he was a private in the ASC Mechanical Transport company. The British Army was the most mechanised of all in the Great War when it came to using motor vehicles for transport.
He is remembered with Honour in the St. Andre Communal Cemetery: Nord, France Grave ref: l.A.34. 178 Casualties. He is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Saviour’s Church, Raynes Park.
There is no direct evidence that this combatant lived in Merton although he is on the Wimbledon Roll of Honour as well as being remembered at Saviour’s. It may be that he had family members living in the borough at the time of his death.