Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Phinehas Thomas Sutton, a joiner, born 1863 in Diseworth, Leicestershire and his wife Clara Sutton (nee Lincoln, married in the 1st quarter of 1894 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district), a post office assistant, born 1865 in Loughborough, Leicestershire. Ernest William was born in the 1st quarter of 1895 in Burton on the Wolds, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Tom, born 1897 and Frank, born 1900, both his siblings were born in Burton on the Wolds, in March 1901 the family were residing at the Post Office, Main Street, Burton on the Wolds, this being the family home of Ernest’s widowed great Grandfather Henry Buxton, born 1820 in Bunney, Nottinghamshire. In March 1901 Ernest was employed as a labourer and was residing in the family home at Industry Street, Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire together with his father, a joiner, his mother and siblings, Frank, Phyllis, born 1904, Ethel, born 1906 and Ivor, born 1907, the latter three siblings were all born in Barrow upon Soar.
Ernest attested into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 27th November 1914 in Toronto, Canada. He gave his trade or calling as carpenter and confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Thomas Sutton, of 1159, Davenport Road, Toronto as his next of kin.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was dark brown and he had brown eyes. It was noted that he had a scar under his left ear and four vaccination marks on his left arm. He gave his religion as Church of England.
The War Diary records: 2 Jun-16 – Right sub sector of right section. Trenches 47 to 53 inclusive. The enemy put over about 20 or 30 trench mortars about 7.00am. General MERCER and General WILLIAMS, Captain FRASER and Lieutenant GOODERHAM arrived at Battalion Headquarters about 7.45am on a tour of inspection of the front line with special reference to the new work at the sap. The Commanding Officer accompanied them. At 8.30am the enemy commenced a bombardment and a shell burst opposite the party, deafening General MERCER almost completely, slightly wounding General WILLIAMS, and deafening Lieutenant GOODERHAM. General MERCER with two aides was brought to Battalion Headquarters. General WILLIAMS was taken to the dressing station where the Commanding Officer remained with him. The bombardment increased and we were bombarded in the front line, supports and reserve, by thousands of shells of every description. The bombardment was most intense. The front line was also bombarded by trench mortars. The Officer Commanding of the platoon in S.P.12 held his position until about 11.30am when he sent out his remaining men who were mostly wounded, and when his last man had left, came out himself. A mine exploded on the Battalion front about 1.00pm and an order came down the line to withdraw. At this time the whole front line was flattened out and there were no trenches of any description, and very few of the Battalion that were able to carry on. Captain SYMONS and the Second in Command remained at Battalion Headquarters throughout the bombardment. Colonel USSHER remaining with General WILLIAMS. General MERCER and his staff also remained at Battalion Headquarters throughout the bombardment, and were not further injured when the order came to withdraw. The Second in Command gathered about 20 men together and started for MAPLE COPSE where the supporting Battalion was situated. When he reached the copse he had only 3 men with him, the others having become casualties through enemy shell, machine gun and rifle fire. He proceeded down the communication trench to Brigade Headquarters at ZILLEBEKE where he reported at Brigade Headquarters. He was given permission to take up six men and try and discover news of the Battalion. He remained in the neighbourhood of ZILLEBEKE village for about 2 hours, but could get no word of any men in the Battalion. He then reported back to Brigade. During the afternoon and evening of the 2nd about 45 men reported at Brigade Headquarters from the front and support lines.
On Friday July 28th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – BARROW CASUALTIES. – Mrs. Bolton, of Nook-lane, Barrow, has received word that her husband Pte. Jack Bolton, of the Leicesters, is in hospital at Northampton, having been shot through the leg. Pte. Bolton who is the Notts. Forest footballer, has sent on a German helmet which he captured at the great attack. Mr. and Mrs. J. Shelton, of Town End, Barrow, have information from their son, Pte. H. Shelton, of the Leicesters, that he has been wounded and is in hospital at Brighton. Mr. and Mrs. A. Hartshorn, of Barrow, have been informed that their son, Pte. H. Hartshorn, has been wounded and is in hospital in France. Mrs. Barber, of Freestone-square, Barrow, has received news that her husband, Pte. A. Barber, is seriously wounded in the leg. This is the third time Pte. Barber, who is in hospital at Berwick, has been injured. Pte. Ernest Wm. Sutton, of a Canadian Regiment, is reported missing. Pte. Sutton who is 21 years of age, emigrated from Barrow to Canada four years ago. He enlisted in November 1914, came to France June 1915, and has been in the trenches since October 1915.
There were two reports in the local newspapers as follows; Toronto Star December 9th 1916. NOW BELIEVED KILLED. Pte. Ernest Wm. Sutton, 27, Somerset Avenue, formerly reported to be missing after the battle of Zillebeke last June, is now officially believed to be killed. This tallies with the private information which the relatives have from the front, the dead boys chum Pte. Geo. Lee of Brantfield, having written some time ago that he had seen Pte Sutton fall in battle. The dead soldier was only 21 years old, unmarried. He was born in Leicestershire, England, and had been in Canada for six years. He had worked as a carpenter during part of that time. He was a member of the Y.M.C.A. and the Church of England. His father Thos. Sutton, is a bandsman in the 110th Battalion band.
Toronto Star February 2nd 1917. DEATH NOW CONFIRMED. Pte. E. W. Sutton, 27, Somerset Avenue, is now officially reported killed in action. He went overseas with C.M.R. in July 1915, and entered the trenches in October. The following June he was officially reported missing and believed to be killed on June 2nd. A letter received from his chum Pte. George Lee, also said he had been killed, and the Records Office, after making extensive inquiry, now confirms this report. Pte. Sutton was only 21 years old. He was a carpenter by trade, and a member of the Church of England.