Trafford

Born during the March quarter 1899 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/176, the
eldest son of Charlie & Jane Walmsley (nee Fletcher).

1901 Census - 22 Seymour Grove, Sale.   Son - aged: 2 - born: Sale.   Head
of household - Charlie Walmsley - Married - aged: 37 occ: Journeyman
Plumber - born: Sale.   Also - Jane Walmsley - Wife - aged: 34 - born:
Winsford, Cheshire.  Plus an elser sister - Emily - aged: 13 - born: Sale.

Attended Springfield Road School.  The existing premises opened in 1906.

1911 Census - 3 Era Street, Sale.  Son - aged: 12 - Scholar - born: Sale.  
Head of household - Charlie Walmsley - Married - aged: 7 occ: House Painter
- born: Sale.   Also - Jane Walmsley - Wife - aged: 24 - born: Winsford,
Cheshire.  Plus an elser sister - Emily - Scholar - aged: 3 - born: Sale
and his younger brother - Charlie - aged: 1 - born: Sale.

Enlisted in February 1917.  W.e.f. 3rd February 1918, the Battalion was
part of the 25th Brigade, 8th Division.

Extracted verbatim from the Duke of Lancaster's Regimental Museum.  See:-
http://www.lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk/the-regiments-in-the-great-war-1914-18-3/

The Aisne 1918 - On the 27th May the Germans mounted a third offensive,
this time in a French sector near the River Aisne. This sector was by
chance held by the battered British IX Corps which, in need of a rest, had
been allocated to a supposedly quiet area. The British troops involved
included 2nd East Lancashires, in the 8th Division, and the 2nd South
Lancashires and 9th Loyal North Lancashires, in the 25th Division. All
three were in reserve when the forward areas were pounded by the largest
concentration of artillery yet assembled. The main line of defense was
quickly breached and overwhelmed and the reserves were committed piecemeal
in desperate and confused fighting against odds of at least four to one.
Unit cohesion was soon shattered, but the troops fought on in isolated
company groups and mixed detachments, retiring in close contact until the
tide was turned and, after eight days heavy fighting, the German advance
was once more ground to a halt. 

The three Lancashire battalions on the Aisne had fought through all three
of the ‘Kaiser Battles’ and had suffered accordingly: the total losses
of 1st East Lancashires between March 23rd and June 1st 1918 amounted to 63
officers and 1,254 other ranks, double the original fighting strength, the
9th Loyals casualties were no fewer than 1,200, and 2nd South Lancashires
too was reduced to a cadre.   Ernest was taken prisoner during this battle
and died in captivity of his wounds and pneumonia.

Death reported in the 06/12/1918 edition of the Altrincham Guardian, which 
states that his parents lived at Seymour Grove, Sale.   The CWGC record his
parent's address as 39 Manor Road, Sale - this will probably be where the
family resided c1922.

M.I. - "Till we meet again".