Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Slack, a shoe trade finisher, born in the April quarter of 1849 in Leicester (son of Sarah Curzon, 1806) and his wife Ann (Annie) Slack (nee March, married in the October quarter of 1883 in Leicester), a laundress, born in the January quarter of 1853 in Gilmorton, Leicestershire (daughter of Richard March, 1818-1888 and Elizabeth Coleman, 1817-1908). Ernest was born in the July quarter of 1889 in Leicester and baptised on the 29th June 1891 in St. Matthew’s Church, Leicester, his siblings were, Albert, a shoe trade clicker, born in the April quarter of 1884, Lily, a shoe trade machinist, born in the January quarter of 1887 and baptised on the 30th April 1888 in St. Margaret’s Church, Leicester and Annie, born on the 3rd December 1893, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 94, Willow Street, Leicester. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a French polisher and was residing in the family home at 4 Court B, Navigation Street, Leicester, together with his father, a shoe trade finisher and his mother, a char woman.
Ernest enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 19th January 1915 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 3675. He gave his place of birth as Latimer Ward, Leicester and age as 25 years 7 months. He gave his trade or calling as French polisher, presently employed by Messrs. Inglesant’s Limited. He gave his present address as 32, Colton Street, Leicester.
His medical examination took place in The Magazine, Leicester on the 19th January 1915 and recorded his apparent age as 25 years 7 months, that he was 5-feet 5½ inches in height, weighed 111 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches, his vision was described as good and his physical development was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his father, William Slack, 32, Colton Street, Leicester.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Posted. 4th Reserve Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 19/1/15.
Embodied service commenced. 19/1/15.
Posted. To 2/4th Bn. Leicestershire regt. Pte. 15/8/15.
Embarked. Southampton. 19/8/15.
Disembarked. Rouen. 20/8/15.
Wounded in action. Gunshot wound to abdomen and shoulder. In the Field. 14/10/15.
Admitted. To North Midland Field Ambulance, Fouquieres. 14/10/15.
Died of wounds in North Midland Field Ambulance. 15/10/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 19/1/15 – 19/8/15. 213 days.
France. 20/8/15 – 15/10/15. 57 days.
Total Service. 270 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
On the 25th July 1916 Ernest’s mother was awarded a weekly Army Pension of five shillings, to commence on the 1st August 1916.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Wednesday, November 10th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – An official intimation has been received that Private E. SLACK, of the 1st/4th Leicestershire Regiment, died of wounds on October 15th. His home address was at 32, Colton-street, and prior to joining the forces he was employed at Messrs. Inglesant’s, furnishers.
And published in the same edition the following article under the heading. – FALLEN LEICESTERS. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. E. SLACK, 4th Leicester’s, died of wounds on Oct. 15th. He lived at 32, Colton-street, Leicester and prior to the war worked for Messrs. Inglesant.