Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Tom Andrew Eales, a bricklayers labourer, born 1852 in Billesdon, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Ann Eales (nee Potterton, married in the 4th quarter of 1874 in the Leicester district), born 1850 in Belgrave, Leicester. Ernest William was born on the 27th July 1888 in Stamford, Lincolnshire, his siblings were, Alfred, an errand boy, born 1877, Harry, born 1879, Elizabeth Ann, born 1882 and George Percy, born 1884, the latter four siblings were all born in Leicester and Sydney, born 1886 in Stamford, in April 1891 the family home was at Newthorpe, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. in March 1901 Ernest was residing in the family home at 8, Brook Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Harry, a bricklayer’s labourer, Elizabeth, a dress maker, George, an apprentice lithographic printer and Sydney, a draper’s apprentice. In April 1911 Ernest was absent from the family home at 8, Brook Street, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his father, a domestic gardener, his mother and siblings, Elizabeth, a dress maker and Harry, a bricklayer’s labourer, Ernest was employed as a draper’s shop assistant and was residing as a boarder at 119, Cooper Street, Leicester. Ernest was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 6 Aug-18 – WEST OF MORLANCOURT. Owing to the difficulty of relief dawn was breaking and at 4.25am the enemy attacked and penetrated our line. But the BURKE LINE was established.
The War Diary records: 7 Aug-18 – WEST OF MORLANCOURT. During the night 6/7th our lines were subjected to very heavy shelling. The day was spent in clearing up the situation and by the night the CLONCURRY LINE was established.
APPENDIX B/334
7th Battalion, THE BUFFS.
Account of the operations of the 6th to the 10th August 1918.
Reference Map, 62D. N.E. 1/20,000.
[1] Before commencing an account of the operations of 6th to 10th August, it is well to note the situation and general conditions on the Brigade front from the 31st July when the 55th Infantry Brigade relieved the Australian Brigade.
On the night of 31st July/1st August, 7th Buffs took over the left sub sector of the Brigade front. On the following night the Brigade boundaries were altered, and this necessitated side-stepping to the right.
On 1st August the weather turned very wet and this added to the unfinished state of the trenches in the sector, rendered conditions very difficult and trying to the troops.
Added to this the hostile artillery was unusually active, any undue movement by day leading to bursts of shelling, while at night besides the usual harassing fire, the enemy invariably subjected the Battalion sector to heavy concentrated bombardments at different times, one taking place in every case just before daylight.
In addition to the above the withdrawal of the enemy to the Eastern side of the River ANCRE between ALBERT and DERNACOURT, and the subsequent withdrawal South of the River SOMME resulted in repeated requests for information regarding the enemy’s attitude west of MORLANCOURT and entailed constant patrolling day and night upon troops already worn out by bad weather conditions and heavy shelling.
[2] On the 5th August orders were received that the right boundary of the front held by 7th Buffs was to be extended to the BRAY – CORBIE Road (exclusive) at K.20.a.6.9. As “C” and “A” Companies, 7th Buffs, had been in the front line since the night 31st July/1st August it was decided to relieve these Companies with “B” and “D” Companies respectively, “B” Company in addition to take over from a platoon of 8th East Surrey Regiment that part of the line between the old Battalion right boundary and the BRAY – CORBIE Road. To assist in holding this extra part of the line 2 extra Lewis Guns were attached to “B” Company.
[3] On the night 5/6th August these reliefs commenced but by dawn on the 6th August only the relief of “A” Company by “D” Company was completed, while only 3 platoons of “C” Company had been relieved by “B” Company, the remaining platoon of “C” Company still being in position, while the two Company Commanders concerned were at Company Headquarters at K.14.a.4.3.
What happened to the missing platoon of “B” Company has not been discovered, as it was scattered in the subsequent fighting, but the hostile shelling and heavy “going,” and the darkness of the night, are no doubt in a great degree responsible.
Therefore at dawn on 6th August 7th Buffs were disposed as follows:-
Front Line.
“B” Company (less one platoon) Right Company.
“C” Company (less three platoons) Right Company.
1 Lewis Gun Section (attached) Right Company.
Front Line. “D” Company Left Company.
COBAR LINE. “A” Company Support.
BUNBURY LINE. 3 platoons, “C” Company Reserve.
Battalion Headquarters were at K.17.b.3.7.
[4] At 4.30am the enemy commenced a heavy bombardment of our front line system with artillery and heavy trench mortars, and also bombarded the front of the Brigade in the line South of the BRAY – CORBIE Road. He also shelled BUNBURY LINE and Valley in K.17.b using gas shells.
As similar bombardments had taken place on previous mornings this was not considered unusual, but when the bombardment showed no signs of diminishing and news arrived that the S.O.S. Signal had been observed, it became apparent that more serious operations were impending. All telephones to the forward Companies were cut, and no information could be obtained until a runner arrived about 5.30am from Company Headquarters at K.14.a.4.3 and stated that the enemy was attacking, that Company Headquarters was involved in hand to hand fighting, and that the enemy had broken into our positions astride the BRAY – CORBIE Road.
At 6.00am a message reached Battalion Headquarters to the effect that the enemy had reached Quarry at K.24.b.8.9. As the situation was very obscure I had directed the Officer Commanding “C” Company at 5.00am to send a strong patrol forward to clear up the situation.
[5] At 7.00am the situation being still obscure I sent Major NICHOLSON, MC forward to COBAR LINE to the Headquarters of “A” Company to take charge in that area, to re-organise troops and push forward to the BURKE LINE.
At 7.25am a runner arrived from “D” Company (left front Company) bringing a report stating that at 5.30am “D” Company was holding original line from its left boundary as far as K.7.d.0.4, but that south of that point the enemy had penetrated our line. South of K.7.d.0.4 the enemy was holding our original front line. Enemy reinforcements advancing from MORLANCOURT along track in K.8.c.
About this time the Officer Commanding 8th East Surrey Regiment, whose Headquarters were in the same place as mine, sent forward 1 Company from BUNBURY LINE to strengthen COBAR LINE.
[6] From information in my possession I at 7.50am reported that as far as my front was concerned the enemy had captured that part of the line taken by the Australians the previous week – i.e. our old front line and CLONCURRY TRENCH.
[7] At 9.00am I received a message from Brigade stating that 54th Infantry Brigade were in CUMMINS Trench, (Note. This proved to be incorrect) and ordering me to push forward and re-establish CLONCURRY Trench.
I thereupon sent the following message to Major NICHOLSON at COBAR Trench – “6th Northants are moving forward astride BRAY – CORBIE Road. Objective – BURKE and then CLONCURRY aaa E. Surrey Company in COBAR and “A” Company, Buffs have been ordered to conform aaa I want information about our line in K.13.b and d. – CLOUD SUPPORT aaa Send patrol to find out and report.”
[8] At 9.25am I was able to report to Brigade as follows:-
“D” Company Buffs holding left section of CLONCURRY Trench (i.e. from N of K.7.d.0.4 as far as HAY ST) Patrols report BURKE LINE clear of enemy. Posts established – junction of KING ST and BURKE LINE and at junction of COOMA ST and BURKE LINE. Patrols sent towards CLOUD SUPPORT and CULGCA Trench towards CLONCURRY Trench.
“D” Company ordered to push southwards from K.7.d.0.4.”
[9] At 9.25am I informed Major NICHOLSON that Brigade was anxious for further news regarding CLONCURRY Trench. I ordered posts to be established along BURKE LINE.
[10] At 10.10am I received information from Major NICHOLSON that our right flank still rested just south of K.7.d.0.4 where it was in touch with the enemy. Touch with enemy had also been gained at K.13.b.2.7 and in CULGCA Trench. (Time 8.25am).
This information was passed to the Brigade at 10.15am.
[11] At about 10.45am I received information from Major NICHOLSON that the enemy appeared to be holding junction of BURKE LINE and CULGCA Trench, so at 11.05am I ordered Major NICHOLSON to drive back the enemy from this point and establish post there. A Trench Mortar Battery Officer was sent up to co-operate.
[12] By 12.00 noon Major NICHOLSON was able to report that a patrol had reported that a post had been established at the junction of BURKE LINE and CULGCA Trench – Patrol proceeding up CULGCA Trench. This report reached Battalion Headquarters at 12.20pm.
At 12.15pm Lieutenant KELSEY, Commanding “D” Company reported he was “O.K”, that the enemy was consolidating hard and that he was in constant touch with 7th Norfolk Regiment on his left.
[13] From 1.00pm Major NICHOLSON had established a line from junction of BURKE LINE and CULGCA Trench along BURKE Trench to HAY St., had garrisoned BURKE LINE with “A” Company and had reinforced “D” Company with 1 platoon of “C” Company about HAY St. he was in touch with 8th East Surrey Regiment on his right.
[14] About 2.45pm I received orders from Brigade to consolidate BURKE LINE.
I thereupon at 2.50pm ordered Major NICHOLSON to organise the troops in depth as far as numbers permitted, i.e. in BURKE and COBAR LINES – BURKE LINE to be held at all costs. I sent up a supply of shovels.
[15] At 4.25pm a message was received from Major NICHOLSON that the organisation was complete, (Map showing dispositions was forwarded to Brigade the same day) and that patrol was working down CULGCA Trench towards the enemy.
[16] Consolidation continued and hostile shelling diminished towards evening.
At 9.55pm a message was received from Major NICHOLSON, timed 9.25pm that as our left flank was weakly held he had sent another platoon of “C” Company to HAT ST. I concurred in this arrangement.
[17] During the night 6/7th August hostile artillery continued to be active, and our forward telephone lines were broken.
[18] At 4.40am on 7th August as already ordered, 54th Infantry Brigade with “A” Company 8th East Surrey Regiment counter-attacked. Objectives – Line CUMMINS Trench – CLONCURRY Trench as far North as K.7.d.0.4.
“A” Company 8th East Surrey Regiment reached its objective and linked up with “D” Company, 7th Buffs at K.d.0.4., but 11th Royal Fusiliers (54th Infantry Brigade) were unable to reach CLONCURRY Trench so that touch with 54th Infantry Brigade had to be maintained with BURKE LINE via CULGCA Trench.
This situation continued throughout the day with gallant attempts by “A” Company 8th East Surrey Regiment to bomb up CLONCURRY Trench from K.13.b.20.65 in conjunction with 11th Royal Fusiliers who were to bomb up CLOUD SUPPORT.
A barrage was arranged for 6.00pm but the operation was cancelled by General Officer Commanding 54th Infantry Brigade.
[19] At 8.05pm the enemy opened a bombardment on the Divisional front and our guns replied to the S.O.S. signal.
At 8.35pm Major NICHOLSON reported all very quiet on our front.
[20] At 9.00pm the enemy sent over a number of gas shells about BENDIGO Switch, where 7th Queen’s were located.
[21] At 9.12pm S.O.S. signal was again observed and our guns opened. At 9.32pm fire on both sides had died down. Message 10.10pm from Major NICHOLSON that our front was quiet and normal.
[22] At 1.00am, 8th August, a message was received from Lieutenant KELSEY stating situation was satisfactory (timed 11.10pm), but that shelling had been heavy.
[23] 7th Queen’s had begun to assemble in rear of BURKE LINE for the big attack. Situation fairly quiet. Early morning very misty and a good deal of gas about.
[24] At 4.20am our barrage opened.
From then till 7.00am no news of a definite character was received from 7th Queen’s, though wounded men stated assaulting troops were moving on, so at this hour I received orders from the Staff Captain, 55th Infantry Brigade, to go forward to the Headquarters of Lieutenant Colonel BUSHELL, VC, DSO, Commanding 7th Queen’s at the junction of COBAR LINE and COOMA Trench to get in touch with the situation.
On Friday August 30th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – KILLED IN ACTION. Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Eales, 8, Brook-street, Melton Mowbray, received a notification from the War Office last Friday afternoon that their youngest son, Pte. Ernest William Eales, East Kent Buffs, was killed in action on August 6th. Deceased who was 30 years of age on the 27th July, joined up on August 1st last year, and went out to France on April 12th. For ten years previously he had been in the drapery establishment of Mr. B. E. Perrett, Belgrave-road, Leicester. Two of his brothers are serving in France. And in the same issue under the heading: - “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. EALES. – Killed in action on the 6th inst. Pte. Ernest William Eales, East Kent Buffs, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Eales, Melton Mowbray, aged 30 years. And in the same issue under the heading: - “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Eales, 8, Brook-st., Melton Mowbray, desire to return their sincere thanks for the numerous expressions of sympathy which they have received in their bereavement.