Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Jordan, a stone quarry worker, born 1860 in Ratby, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Ann Jordan (nee Wolfe, married in the 3rd quarter of 1882 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born 13th June 1861 in Anstey, Leicestershire. Ernest was a schoolboy and was born in the 2nd quarter of 1892 in Anstey, his siblings were, George Wolfe, a shoe trade pressman, born on the 26th July 1883, Harriett Ann, a shoe trade fitter, born on the 25th June 1885, the latter two siblings were both born in Measham, Leicestershire, Mary Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born 1888 and Florence Ada Annie, born on the 19th December 1896, the latter two siblings were both born in Anstey, in March 1901 the family home was at Bradgate Road, Anstey. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a shoe trade finisher and was residing in the family home at Bradgate Road, Anstey, together with his father a chimney sweep, his mother and siblings, Mary, a shoe trade fitter, Florence, a shoe trade machinist, Mahlon Iritts Wolfe, born on the 13th March 1902 and John Frank, born on the 3rd April 1905, the latter two siblings were both born in Anstey. On the 21st November 1914, Ernest married Emma Eliza Smith in the Parish Church in Anstey. They had two children, Archibald Frank born on the 27th February 1915 and Ernest, born on the 27th October 1916, both children were born in Anstey.
Ernest attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 8th December 1915 in Leicester. He gave his home address as 5, Park Road, Anstey, Leicestershire, his age as 23 years and 287 days and his trade or calling as shoe finisher. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his wife Emma Eliza Jordan of 5, Park Road, Anstey as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 9¾ inches in height, weighed 146 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 37 inches. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Congregational. His record of service began when he was placed on the Army Reserve on the 8/12/15. Mobilised and posted to the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 36927 on the 9/12/15. Joined the Leicestershire Regiment on the 24/1/17. Posted to the 5th Training Reserve Battalion, and allotted the service number 5/17389, at Rugeley Camp on the 27/1/17. Embarked at Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 3/5/17. Disembarked at Boulogne on the 3/5/17. Joined the 32nd Infantry Brigade Depot at Etaples on the 4/5/17. Posted to the 11th Battalion Cheshire Regiment and allotted the service number 50821 on the 20/5/17. Joined the 11th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, in the field on the 21/5/17. Missing, in the field on the 7/6/17. Reported killed in action, in the field on the 7/6/17. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 8/12/15 – 8/12/15, 1 day. Reserve, 9/12/15 – 8/1/17, 1 year 31 days. Home Service, 9/1/17 – 3/5/17, 115 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 4/5/17 – 7/6/17, 35 days. Total service, 1 year 182 days. Ernest was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Ernest’s widow Emma Eliza Jordan on the 28th June 1920, and was witnessed and signed by Frank Willett, Justice of the Peace, -?- Road, Anstey, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Widow of soldier, Emma Eliza Jordan of Park Road, Anstey. Children of soldier, Archibald Frank Jordan, born on the 27th day of February 1915. Ernest Jordan, born on the 27th day of October 1916. Father of soldier, dead. Mother of soldier, Mary Ann Jordan aged 59 born on the 13th day of June 1861, of Bradgate Road, Anstey. Full blood brothers of soldier, John Frank Jordan, aged 15, born on the 3rd day of April 1905. Mahlon Iritts Wolfe Jordan, aged 17, born on the 13th day of March 1902. George Wolfe Jordan, aged 36, born on the 26th day of July 1883, of Forest Gate, Anstey. Full blood sisters of soldier, Harriett Ann Allen, aged 34, born on the 25th day of June 1885, of Park Road, Anstey. Flo Ada Annie Jordan, aged 23, born on the 19th day of December 1896, of Bradgate Road, Anstey. Grandparents of soldier, none. Nephews and Nieces of soldier, Gladys Gertrude Allen, aged 10, born on the 9th day of June 1910, of Park Road, Anstey. Norah Allen, aged 8, born on the 15th day of November 1912, of Park Road, Anstey. George Wolfe Jordan, aged 6, born on the 28th May 1914, of Forest Gate, Anstey. Nellie Elizabeth Jordan, aged 8, born on the 13th March 1912, of Forest Gate, Anstey. Uncle of soldier, Mahlon Iritts Wolfe, aged 60, born on the 18th March 1859, of Park Road, Anstey. His widow and two children were awarded a weekly pension of twenty two shillings and eleven pence to commence on the 14th January 1918. Ernest’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 7 Jun-17 – Attack on MESSINES – WYTSCHAETE RIDGE. At 3.10 am on the 7th June the 25th Division in conjunction with divisions on the right and left carried out an attack on the MESSINES – WYTSCHAETE RIDGE. The 75th Brigade was in Divisional Reserve and the task allotted to the Battalion was to advance from a line to be captured by the 8th SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT running from LUMM FARM (O.26.d.1.8.) to O.33.a.5.6 and establish a line of strong points between farm at O.27 central and the BLAUWEDOORTBECK SOUTH of DESPAGNE FARM (O.33.b.5.8.) The Battalion moved off from PIONEER CAMP at about 10.00pm and was in position in the assembly trench (DURHAM TRENCH) by 1.00am. While assembling and before ZERO the Battalion was shelled with lachrymatory shells which caused a few casualties. From ZERO onwards very few casualties were caused by enemy retaliation. Two officers were wounded in the assembly trench. At 6.45am the Battalion moved forward. On reaching the top of the MESSINES – WYTSCHAETE RIDGE casualties were caused by machine guns from LUMM FARM and the vicinity on the left flank of the Battalion when the enemy were still holding out. During the advance from the BLACK LINE (O.26.d.1.8. – O.33.a.5.6.) many prisoners, four field guns and one machine were captured. By 9.00am the objective was reached and owing to the non arrival of the Battalion on the left the farm at O.27 central was captured and consolidation commenced. Between 11.00am and 12 NOON the enemy was seen massing in O.34.b and O.35.a., and between 1.00pm and 2.00pm a counter attack was launched from that direction. About 600 of the enemy attacked in four waves but were met by our Lewis Gun and rifle fire and were finally disposed by our S.O.S. barrage leaving a large number of dead. At 3.10pm the 52nd Battalion A.I.F. passed through the Battalion to capture a further objective. This Battalion apparently went too far NORTH and thus a gap was left in front of our right post. This was confirmed by the fact that between 5.00pm and 6.00pm about 60 of the enemy were seen approaching this post but were driven back by Lewis Gun and rifle fire. The night passed fairly quietly and consolidation proceeded rapidly.
The War Diary records: 8 Jun-17 – During the 8th the enemy shelled the line of posts also the vicinity of Battalion Head quarters O.27.c. The shelling was exceptionally heavy at times and at 6.00pm a heavy bombardment was opened on the right and on the line of posts held by the Battalion. The enemy did not attack on the Battalion front and by 8.00pm all was quiet. At 8.30pm the enemy again opened a very heavy bombardment on our posts and all communication was rendered impossible. Some Australians who had retired through our posts reported that the enemy was attacking and that our line of posts had fallen. By 11.00pm, however, communication was restored and the line of posts was found to be intact.
The War Diary records: 9 Jun-17 – NEUVE EGLISE. Between 1.00am and 4.00am the Battalion was relieved by the 8th Battalion LOYAL NORTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT and moved back to camp at NEUVE EGLISE. Total casualties 8 officers, 160 other ranks.