Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the late Thomas Wakefield, born 1864 in Colsterworth, Lincolnshire and his widow, Sarah Ann Wakefield (nee Tinkler, married in the 4th quarter of 1883 in the Grantham, Lincolnshire district), a charwoman, born 1865 in Muston, Leicestershire. Ernest was born in the 3rd quarter of 1886 in Bottesford, Leicestershire, his siblings were, John William, a schoolboy, born 1884 in Easthorpe, Leicestershire and Walter, born 1889 in Muston, in April 1891 the family home was at Village Street, Muston, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Ernest was absent from the family home at Stathern Road, Eaton, Leicestershire, residing there was his stepfather, William King, and ironstone miner, born 1871 in Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, Lincolnshire, his re-married mother and siblings, John, an agricultural labourer and Walter an ironstone worker, also his half blood siblings, Joseph, a schoolboy, born 1894 in Muston, Lily, born 1897 in Bottesford, John, born 1899 and Harold, born 1900, the latter two siblings were both born in Eaton. In the 2nd quarter of 1912, in the Grantham, Lincolnshire district, Ernest married Agnes Louisa Tinkler, born 1887 in Muston. Ernest’s widow later remarried and became Mrs. Agnes Stafford of Hospital Cottage, Muston. Ernest had joined the army in 1904, serving in India for 7 years, after demobilisation he joined the Police Force at Loughborough, Leicestershire, being recalled to the Colours at the outbreak of war in 1914. He was wounded in 1914 and also gassed at Ypres in 1915. Ernest first entered the theatre of war in France on the 9th September 1914. He was awarded the 1914 Star, British and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 7 Mar-16 - Did nothing all day. At 5.30pm Bde formed up and marched south west to a point about 1 mile south of the DIJAILAH REDOUBT arriving there at about 7.30am on the 8th instant (March) Shortly after this the Bde deployed 53rd SIKHS (FRONTIER FORCE) and 56th PUNJABIS (FRONTIER FORCE) being in the front line on a fronting of 400 yards. LEICESTERSHIRE REGT and 51st SIKHS in Reserve, Battn moving forward in two lines of platoon columns. The objective allotted to the Bde was a line extending from the DIJAILAH REDOUBT westwards for 400 yards. The objective of the 9th Bde, on our right, was the DIJAILAH REDOUBT, while the 36th Bde on our left worked westwards on a special mission. The two leading Battn’s of the 28th FRONTIER FORCE Bde were met by a very heavy rifle and machine gun fire but succeeded in getting well forward, the two reserve Battn’s being kept a considerable distance in rear to meet any counter attack which it was believed would almost certainly be delivered against the left of the Bde. The two leading Battn’s owing to heavy casualties were compelled to entrench some 400 yards short of the enemy’s position. About 10.00am Major D. L. WEIR D.S.O. was wounded and Capt R. J. McINTYRE assumed command. At 10.50am the Battn faced north west to meet an expected counter attack, formation of Battn in two lines of half Battn, B and A Coy’s in the front line with machine guns, C and D Coy’s in the second line. The counter attack did not take place. The 36th Bde met with considerable opposition and did not make much headway. At 1.00pm the Battn received orders to join in the attack and reinforce the DEVONSHIRE REGT right, who were on the right of the 36th Bde. The Battn extended and advanced in four lines, B Coy (which directed) on the right, A Coy on the left, each Coy having 2 platoons in the front line and 2 in the second line. On advancing it was found that the DEVONSHIRE REGT were mixed up with the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY and 1st/9th GURKHAS, and, there being no room, The Battn made a right incline and prolonged the right. The front line advanced to within 350 yards of the enemy’s trench and arrangements were being made for reinforcements to come up when the order was received to halt. The attack had now stopped, at 2.40pm. At 4.30pm orders were received that another attempt was to be made to capture the enemy’s position, and all troops were to co-operate and assault at 5.00pm. The attack took place and the front line reached a ridge about 200 yards to 250 yards from the enemy. Orders were received to dig in on the ground won. At dusk the Battn reformed and commenced to dig a line of defence 39c.4.8. (reference map T C 18). At 10.00pm the Battn was moved to another position at 50a.1.3.
On Friday April 21st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – MUSTON SOLDIER’S DEATH. Many of our readers in the Vale of Belvoir will regret to learn that Pte. Ernest Wakefield of Muston, has been killed in action. He joined the Leicestershire Regiment in 1904, and served with it for eight years, seven of which were spent in India. As a reservist he was called up on the outbreak of the war, and took part in some of the worst fighting being at the battles of the Marne and the Aisne. Pte Wakefield was wounded in December, 1914, at Armentieres, and was brought to a hospital in Manchester, then after being at home a short time he returned to France in the following April. In June, 1915, he was gassed at Ypres, and was removed to a London Hospital, and from there returned home during convalescence. He was then stationed at Patrington, Yorks, until January of this year, when he once more went abroad. He had only been out three weeks when he met his death. Pte. Wakefield joined the Leicestershire Police Force after leaving the Army, and was stationed at Loughborough when the war broke out. He was 29 years of age, and leaves a widow and two young children, for whom the sympathy of the whole village is expressed.