Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Thompson, a general labourer, born 1842 in Scalford, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Ann Thompson (nee Toon, formerly Clarke, married in the 4th quarter of 1882 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1840 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Ernest Edward, was born in the 4th quarter of 1883 in Melton Mowbray, his half blood siblings were, John Thomas, born 1877 in Melton Mowbray and Joseph Albert Clarke, born 28th June 1878 in Leicestershire, In April 1891 the family home was at Pall Mall, Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 Ernest was employed as a shoe trade laster and was residing in the family home at 40, Pall Mall, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, an agricultural labourer, his mother and sibling John an engine fitter’s labourer, also residing in the family home was Ernest’s Cousin Albert H. Wright, born 1892 in Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a shoe trade worker and was residing as a boarder at 18, Melbourne Street, Melton Mowbray, this being the family home of Herbert Hunt, a furnace man, born 1883 in Nottingham and his wife Mary Ellen Hunt, born 1885 in Granby, Leicestershire.
Ernest enlisted into the Militia on the 13th August 1904 in Melton Mowbray, and was allocated the service number 9016. He gave his place of birth as Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and age as 20 years 8 months. Marital status as single and his trade or calling as Shoe hand, Smith & Faire, Boot & Shoe Manufacturer.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 9¾ inches in height, weighed 127 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had hazel eyes and his hair colour was brown, he gave his religion as Church of England.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Attested. 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 15/8/04.
Commenced. 49 Days Drill. 15/8/04.
Discharge. By Purchase. Leicester. 5/6/05.
Summary of Service:
Ernest’s surviving Militia service record amounts to a total of four pages, and these are good condition and offer an accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his short period of Militia service. His Army service records do not survive, although it is recorded that he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 15th October 1915 to join the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, he was awarded the 1915 Star, British War and Victory medals.
On Friday November 2nd 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON SOLDIERS KILLED. – P.c. Clarke, 52, Lancaster-street, Leicester, has received official news of the death from wounds received in action of his half brother, Pte. E. E. Thompson, Leicester’s. Deceased was about 32 years of age, and previous to enlistment in May, 1915, was for about 10 years in the employ of Messrs. Smith, Faire, and Co., boot and shoe manufacturers, Melton Mowbray. Deceased, who was single, lodged in Melbourne-st., Melton, with Mrs. H. Hunt, who has been notified by the chaplain of his death.
News has reached Mrs. W. Woodman, 20, Regent-street, Melton Mowbray, that her eldest son, Pte. Charles Henry Woodman, Northamptonshire Regt., has been killed by a shell. On Tuesday she received the following letter: “Northamptonshire Regiment, in the Field, 26th October, 1917. “Dear Mrs. Woodman, - I am awfully sorry to have to write and tell you that your son, No. 40492 Pte. Woodman, in my Company, was killed by shell fire last Saturday night about 8p.m. The battalion was being relieved at the time, and in the confusion and rush of things I had hoped that first reports of his death might subsequently prove untrue, and that eventually we might find he had been wounded and taken to some dressing station. But I have made very careful inquiries since, and unfortunately there is no doubt whatever that he was killed, together with another man of his own platoon. It may be some little comfort to you to know that he died almost immediately after he was hit, and was so spared long suffering. I have just seen Pte. Hourd, of B Company, who tells me he was an old workmate of your boy, and he has promised to write to you. Though he was not with him when he was hit he has found the man in whose arms your boy died, and will I hope be able to give you a few more details. I wish I could tell you more myself. I can only say how very really we shall miss him. He was such a cherry boy – just one of the sort who help to keep us alive out here. I had several times lately noticed how happy he invariably managed to keep – not only himself, but also everyone else, no matter how uncomfortable and cheerless the surroundings. I need hardly add that he died as he had always lived – a real soldier and a real man. In very true sympathy, Yours Sincerely, R. B. Fawker, Lieut.” Pte. Woodman was only 19, worked four years for Mr. H. J. Hardy, Market-place, then for two years at the Army Remount Depot. From there he joined up on the 28th of last February, and went out to France at the beginning of May. His father has been out in France with the Remount Corps for three years.