Private Ralph Eric De'Ath
| Date of Birth | 31 January 1899 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 19 |
| Date of Death | 11 January 1918 |
| Service Number | 10842 |
| Military Service | Inns of Court Officer Training Corps |
| Merton Address | 137 Graham Road, Wimbledon |
| Local Memorial | Wimbledon Cemetery |
Additional Information
Ralph Eric De’Ath, who was the youngest of 10 children, was born on 31st January 1899 and baptised in Fulham on 17th September 1899. He was the son of Willliam Ephraim De’Ath, an engineer, and his wife Caroline. The family lived at 75 Deodar Road in Putney. By the time of the 1901 census two years later they had moved to South Wimbledon and were living at 32 Gap Road.
Ralph’s father died in March 1915 and he was now living with his mother and two older siblings at 137 Graham Road. Service records show that in August of that year - at the age of 16 - he enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders claiming to be 19 years old. His regimental number was 9694. He served until December 1915, at which time the authorities found him to be under age and he was discharged.
The following year, now 17, he re-enlisted - this time with The Inns of Court Officers Training Corps. His regimental number was 10842. The Inns of Court Officer Training Corps (OTC) provided basic officer training at Berkhamsted before candidates went on to be commissioned. The cadets learnt drill, musketry, entrenching, bombing, map reading, field exercises and received lectures on different aspects of leadership and command. During the war around 13,000 men passed through the corps for officer training.
Records show that Private De’Ath died on 11th January 1918 on the Home Front. There is no record to show that he was commissioned or posted abroad. He may still have been stationed at Berkhampstead. However, no details of the circumstances of his death have been found. He is buried at the Wimbledon (Gap Road) Cemetery. B. A6.31.