Private Ernest James Blagburn
| Date of Birth | c1890 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 26 |
| Date of Death | 19/06/1916 |
| Service Number | C/7434 |
| Military Service | King’s Royal Rifle Corps 18th Bn |
| Merton Address | 15A Bruce Road, Mitcham (60 Bruce Road in Mitcham) |
| Local Memorial | St. Barnabas' Church, Mitcham |
Additional Information
Ernest James, who was born in Mitcham during the first quarter of 1890, was the fifth child of Charles and Mary Anne Blagburn. His father Charles, who had been born in 0ld Buckenham, Norfolk, married Mary Ann Cooper on the 14th 0ctober 1866 in 0ld Buckenham.
By 1881, The Blagburn family had four children and now resided at Mitcham Common Allens Yard in Sherwood Cottage.
Ernest James was baptised on the 4th May 1890 at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Mitcham. Baptismal records reveal that the Blagburn family resided at Tamworth cottages in Mitcham. His father, Charles was employed as a carman (carter)
The 1891 Census reveals the Blagburn family with their 4 youngest children resided at 4 Powell’s Cottages in Mitcham. Forty eight year old Charles was employed as a farm labourer.
By 1911, the Census records that the Blagburn family resided at Sherwood farm, and that 57 year old Charles was employed as a carter on a farm with his wife and two of his youngest children.
The 1911 Census reveals that 68-year-old Charles was now a widower, his wife Mary Ann had given birth to 12 children, of whom 3 had died in infancy, with 9 surviving children who had lived to adulthood. Twenty-one year-old Ernest James is now employed as a market gardener still residing with his father, sister and niece at Sherwood Farm.
Ernest James married Edith (Loulie) Lawton a dairy assistant, during the last quarter of 1913 at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, 0ffer Green in Mitcham.
Ernest was employed as a packer, residing at 15a Bruce Road in Mitcham with his wife Edith when at the age of 25 years and 11 months; Ernest James re-enlisted in the army on the 5th November 1915. His service record reveals that he had previously served for 3 and half years in the army. Ernest James was 5ft and 4 inches tall.
Ernest James was posted to France on the 2nd May 1916, where he suffered multiple injuries on the 15th May, transferred back to 1st London General Hospital Cormont Road in Camberwell, where he died from sepsis of his wounds on the 19th June 1916 at the age of 26 years.
Ernest James was buried at Mitcham Church burial ground. Ernest James left his estate of £60 10s to his widow Edith.