Private Ernest William Anslow

Born in Sydenham in 1884, Ernest was the son of Edward and Julia Anslow. According to the 1891 Census, the family were living at 39 Beresford Road, Stoke Newington. Ernest was then six years old, and his siblings were Bertie 8, Herbert 4, Blanche 2, and baby Ellie. Father Edward was employed as a Packing Case Maker.

By 1901, the family had moved to 26 Langton Road in Lambeth. The family had grown to include Walter 8, Lettie 6 and 3 year old Jasler, also known as Jubliee or Jack. Ernest, now sixteen years old, was employed as an errand boy for a fish shop.

On Christmas Day in 1906, Ernest married Emma Kitchingham, at St John The Divine Church in Balham. John’s profession was described as a Carpenter, and the couple were living at 21 Byrne Road, Balham.

In 1911, the couple were still living at Byrne Road in one room, but now had a three year old daughter named Lilian Beatrice. On the census, Ernest entered his name as William rather than Ernest. He was still employed as a Packing Case Maker for the shipping industry, but as his father was described on his census form as working in his own right, and not for an employer, it is possible that Ernest, and his brother Bert were working for the family firm.

In April 1914, the family grew to include Winifred Elsie while the family were living in St James Road, Wandsworth Common. They may have moved to Mitcham soon after, living in the Cricket Green area.

Ernest enlisted at Kingston, initially with the East Surrey Regiment, and then with the Middlesex (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Regiment. His battalion was the 18th (service) Battalion, also known as the 1st Public Works Pioneers. Their role as Pioneers was to provide and maintain support services to the front line, repairing trenches, tunnelling, and maintaining railway tracks. They landed at Le Havre on 15 November 1915, and would have seen action on the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and the Battle of Arras (9 April –17 May 1917).

The Battle of Arras aimed to break the deadlock on the Western Front. After initial success, including the capture of Vimy Ridge, German reinforcements began to arrive. The offensive was called off, ending with the Battle of Bullecourt (3 -17 May 1917) where the Germans held their ground. Ernest was killed in action on 19 May, as fighting still continued until 23 May. He is buried at Wancourt British Cemetery, France, as his battalion would still have been in the Wancourt area at that time. The inscription on his grave reads “Thy Will Be Done”.

Ernest’s widow Emma, received his final pay of £2.10.6 plus the War Gratuity of £3.00. His daughter Lillian married Arthur Pugsley in 1929, and died in 1966 at the age of 58. Winifred married Leslie Matthews in 1939 and died in 1992 aged 78.

Ernest’s brother Jack, also known as Jasler, served with the Essex Regiment, and died of wounds on 19 May 1918, exactly one year after his brother. His story also appears on this website.