Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Thomas Whitfield, a miller and agricultural labourer, born 1861 in Scalford, Leics., and his wife Alice Whitfield (nee Jackson, married 1887), born 1864 in Saltby, Leics. Ernest was born in 1896 in Scalford, Leics., his siblings were, Clary, born 1891, Willie, born 1892, Cecil, born 1894 and John Thomas, born 1900, all his siblings were born in Scalford, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Chapel Street, Scalford, Leics. In the first quarter of 1904 Ernest’s mother, Alice, died age 38. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a farm servant and was residing as a servant at Great Dalby, Leics. His father continued to reside in the family home at Scalford, Leics., together with his Ernest’s, step mother Mary Jane Whitfield (nee Flagg, married 1904), born 1878 in Friday Bridge, Cambs., and his siblings, Willie, a farm labourer and John, a schoolboy, also residing with the family was his nephew Theodore Elija, born 1908 in Goadby Marwood, Leics. On Friday April 9th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – SCALFORD SOLDIER’S DEATH. – The first death of Scalford men at the front was notified on Wednesday morning, when Mr. J. H. Whitfield received news that his son Ernest, of the Leicester Regiment, was killed. The news was received through a comrade. Much sympathy is expressed for the family in their trouble. On Friday April 30th 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 (1st Battalion) are reported from the Base, under date, April 11th:-
KILLED. Golden (6882), Private R., Whitfield (9895), Private S.
DIED OF WOUNDS.
Cunningham (5949), Sergeant F., Richardson (5893), Private D.
The War Diary for this day records that after relieving the 1st Battalion of the East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) on the 27th March, the Battalion were in the trenches at Rue du Bois, and it was quiet all day.