Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel Boot an iron turner, born 1868 in Coalville, Leicestershire, and his wife Fanny Elizabeth, born 1867 in Coalville. Ernest Samuel was born in 1898 in Coalville, his siblings were John William, born 1888 and Zilla, born 1900, both his siblings were born in Coalville, in March 1901 the family home was at Melbourne Street, Coalville. In April 1911 Ernest was a scholar and was residing in the family home at 104, Melbourne Road, Coalville, together with his parents and siblings, John, Zillah, Harry, born 1904 and Mary, born 1906, the latter two siblings were both born in Coalville. Ernest, always known as Sam attended St. John the Baptist Church and the nearby Church School, receiving his later education at the local Wesleyan School on Belvoir Road, Coalville. At the time of the outbreak of hostilities Sam was working at Stablefords Wagon Works, he enlisted at Ashby de la Zouch, maybe due to the fact that he was under age and falsified his declaration, he must have assumed he would have been less well known in that locality. He received his uniform in October at Loughborough Drill Hall, and returned home to have his photograph taken in Frederick Ellis May’s Studio in Marlborough Square, Coalville. On Friday 30th October he marched off with a destination of Luton, he was among the lucky ones to be granted Christmas leave, and said his last farewells to his parents on the platform in late December 1914. On the 15th April 1915 the 5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment took over some shallow, hurriedly dug and particularly dangerous frontline trenches in the Messines Sector of Belgium. The area had been savagely fought over in the autumn of 1914, and putrefying human and animal remains were ubiquitous, and the putrid aroma of death contaminated everyone. The trenches were badly exposed, being situated on the lower slopes of the German held hillock of Spanbroekmolen (Hill 76) Several lads were to lose their lives, invariably by sniping in this unholy of places. The spell of duty involved four nights and alternating four days, and it was on the 15th April 1915 that young Sam died. A witness Private John George Bennett said that he died instantly when a German sniper’s bullet found its target, his head. He was approaching his eighteenth birthday.
The War Diary records: 15 Apr-15 - WULVERGHEM. At 5.15pm Battn Order received stating that enemy attack probable and advising likelihood of use by enemy of asphyxiating gases. Stood to all night.
On Saturday May 1st 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Boot, of 104, Melbourne Street, Coalville, have been notified that their fourth son, Private Ernest Samuel Boot, aged 17 years, A (Ashby de la Zouch and Coalville) Company, 5th Leicester’s, was mortally wounded at 10.45 am. on the 15th inst., and died the same night. The sympathy of the members of his company has been conveyed to the parents. The communication was dated the 19th inst. The gallant young soldier enlisted as a drummer in the Ashby Company of Territorial’s two years since, and last visited his parents about three months ago. He was employed in the frame fitting department at Messrs. Stableford’s Wagon Works before the outbreak of the war, and was a popular member of the Coalville Troop of Boy Scouts, in which he was a drummer. The communication to the parents from the front reads:- “On behalf of A Company, 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, I hasten to express to you and your family our deepest sympathy in the loss of your son, who was mortally wounded at 10.45am. on the 15th inst. I can assure you that everything possible was done for him. He passed away without regaining consciousness at 10.30pm.”
On Friday May 14th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT CASUALTIES.
The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base, under date 25th April:-
KILLED.
1st Battalion
Kelham (7058), Lance Corpral E.
5th Battalion (T.F.).
Allen (1175), Private W.
DIED OF WOUNDS.
1st Battalion.
Eaton (6427), Private J. H., Johnson (10005), Private J. A.
5th Battalion (T.F.).
Boot (1600), Private J.S.
WOUNDED.
1st Battalion.
Calver (7611), Private J.
5th Battalion (T.F.).
Braybrook (2916), Private W., Colver (494), Corporal W., Crisp (2190), Private W. A., Evans (2208), Private W., Kernick (8001), Company Sergeant Major J. C., Percival (1584), Private A., Reid (2275), Private A. S., Webster (1333), Private T.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday April 9th, 1915

COALVILLE ADULT SCHOOL SOLDIER

TWICE IN THE TRENCHES

The President of the Coalville Men’s Adult School, Mr B. B. Drewett, has received a letter from Pte. E. S. Boot, A. Co., 5th Leicesters, son of Mr Sam Boot, secretary of the Coalville Liberal Club, who states that he received the book recently sent by members of the school for which he expresses thanks. He says it is a very nice book, containing a text for every day. He continues, “I have been in the trenches twice since we left England and I am pleased to say I was not hit. We have only had one bad day since we have been out, when it snowed all day. Shall be glad when I can get back and take my place in Mr Hatchett’s class again. Remember me to Mr Hatchett and all the school and let them know that I am going on all right. Wishing the school the best of luck, etc.”

Coalville Times article - Friday April 23rd, 1915

COALVILLE TERRITORIAL KILLED

AN ADULT SCHOOL MAN

News was received in Coalville yesterday in a letter from a soldier at the front, that Private Ernest Samuel Boot, of Melbourne Street, Coalville, was killed in action on April 15th. Boot is a member of the Coalville Men’s Adult School, and a son of Mr Sam Boot, employed at Messrs. Wootton Bros. works, and secretary of the Coalville Liberal Club. The young soldier was only about 18 years of age, and went out with the second batch of Territorials from Coalville. A letter written by him to Mr B. B. Drewett, president of the school, appeared in a recent issue of this paper.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 30th, 1915

COALVILLE TERRITORIAL KILLED

Pte. E. S. Boot, of the 5th Battalion, Leicestershire Territorials, who, as reported in our last issue was killed in action on April 15th, being shot through the head. He was a son on Mr Sam Boot, secretary of the Coalville Liberal Club, for whom, with the mother and other members of the family, much sympathy is felt. Before the war, the deceased soldier was employed at Messrs. Stableford’s Works.

He was a member of the Coalville Men’s Adult School, in which his father is also an official, and when the school met on Sunday morning, it was evident that the sad event was keenly felt by the members. The president (Mr B. B. Drewett) made suitable reference to it and expressed sympathy with the bereaved parents, which the members passed in silence by standing.

SAW HIS COMRADE FALL

COALVILLE TERRITORIAL’S INTERESTING LETTER

The following are extracts from a letter of Private John George Bennett to his parents, Mr and Mrs J. R. Bennett, of Coalville, dated April 20th.

“The sun is shining lovely and it is quite hot today, but the nights are chilly. We have not long come out of the trenches and shall be in again by the time you get this. Our brigade band is now playing about four miles from the firing line and the artillery is quiet; it makes one forget almost there is a war on. Being in the trenches is a most trying time and we need a rest every _____ days, but they do their best for us when we come out, as can be seen by the thoughtfulness of the band. I am writing to Mrs Baldwin and Miss Drewett having received the socks. Thanks very much for the parcel; please send as many parcels as you like of eatables. I do like chocolate. Besides it being nutritious, it is handy to nibble at in the trenches, finding something nice to do.

When we are in the trenches we neither receive anything, nor send anything so I cannot write so often now. This is my third letter to you, the two previous ones being destroyed through having to meet yours waiting for me. I write as often as possible. You keep writing for it is such a pleasure to have a lot of news from home. I don’t know what you would think about the havoc wrought by big guns near the fighting, every house is blown to bits and dead bodies lie about where it is dangerous to bury them; most are between our lines and the Germans which are 100 yards apart here. Convey to Mr S. Boot my sincere sympathy about the death of Sam. I was not far away when he was shot through the head and may tell him where Sam is buried after the war. It may be some condolence to his father to know he was doing his best and was buried properly with the church rites. I felt it a bit myself, knowing him since we were kids."

Coalville Times article - Friday November 10th November 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday evening an impressive service was held in the Coalville London Road Baptist Church in memory of thirteen former scholars of the Sunday School who have fallen in action. Their names are, Lieut. Ford, Lieut. T. Dooley, D.C.M., Sergeant Alfred Wesson, Sergeant G. H. Wesson, Privates C. W. Jewsbury, H. G. Wharmby, Clifford Scott, T. Black, E. S. Boot, F. Martin, Jos. Wardle, James Wardle and J. Martin.

There was a large congregation which included the members of the Coalville Volunteer Training Corps, under the command of Commandant J. S. Turner. The pastor, the Rev. F. Pickbourne, conducted the service and gave an appropriate address. The choir rendered Sullivan’s “Homeland” and Mr J. H. Starkey (organist) played a funeral march by Beethoven. Suitable hymns were also sung by the congregation.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 20th, 1920

DO YOU KNOW THAT

Mr S. Boot, secretary of the Coalville Liberal Club, and Mrs Boot, are on a visit to France for the purpose of seeing the grave of their son, killed in action in 1915?

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 7/10/2017