Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Appleby a carpenter, born 1858 in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire and his wife Annie Appleby, born 1861 in Thurmaston, Leicestershire. Ernest George was born in the 4th quarter of 1894 in Thurmaston, his siblings were Arthur, a general labourer, born 1888, Beatrice, born 1891, Gertrude, born 1893 and Harold, born 1900, all his siblings were born in Thurmaston, in March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Thurmaston, Leicestershire. In April 1911 George was employed as a basket maker and was residing in the family home at Main Street, Thurmaston, together with his father, a carpenter, his mother and siblings, Beatrice a hosiery trade worker, Gertrude, a hosiery trade worker and Harold a schoolboy, also residing in the family home was George’s nephew William Appleby, born 1909. Although always known as George, this was his middle name, his officially recorded first name was Ernest.
Ernest attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 11th January 1915 in Syston, Leicestershire. He gave his home address as 261, Main Street, Thurmaston, Leicester, his age as 21 years and 2 months and his trade or calling as iron fettler. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Joseph Appleby of 261, Main Street, Thurmaston, Leicester as his next of kin. He gave his religion as Primitive Methodist.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8¼ inches in height, weighed 127 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches. After attestation on the 11/12/15 in Syston, Leicestershire he was transferred on the 12/12/15 as Private, service number 24865 to the Army Reserve. Mobilized on the 28/1/16. Posted to the Leicestershire Regiment Depot on the 28/1/16. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 28/1/16. Transferred to the 2/5th Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment and allocated the service number 5176 on the 7/2/16. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 26/2/17. Disembarked Boulogne on the 26/2/17. Reported sick to the Field Ambulance, in the field on the 11/7/17. Admitted to 2/2nd North Midland Field Ambulance suffering from influenza on the 14/7/17. Rejoined his Battalion for duty on the 22/7/17. On the 7/8/17, awarded 3 days Field Punishment No.1 for, (i) Being unshaven on parade. (ii) Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline. Wounded in action, in the field on the 26/9/17. Admitted to the 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station suffering from a gunshot wound to the eye on the 27/9/17. Admitted to the 83rd General Hospital, Boulogne on the 28/9/17. Transferred from hospital to the 14th Infantry Brigade Depot in Calais on the 10/10/17. Rejoined his Battalion for duty, in the field on the 20/10/17. Reported sick to the Field Ambulance, in the field on the 20/12/17. Admitted to the 57th Field Ambulance suffering from ICT, (inflammation of connective tissue) of the hand on the 21/12/17. Rejoined his Battalion for duty, in the field on the 29/12/17. Reported missing on the 21/3/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 11/12/15 – 25/2/17, 1 year 77 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 26/2/17 – 21/3/18, 1 year 24 days. Total service, 2 years 101 days. Ernest was awarded the British War and Victory medals. Ernest’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 21 Mar-18 – ERVILLERS. Afternoon: Transport moved to COURCELLES, thence to camp at F.17.d.22.
Report on operations for night 20/21st March onwards.
Reference Map. 57.C.N.W.2. 1/10,000.
In writing the account of the above action, difficulty is at once encountered, owing to the fact that all records including War Diary, Defence schemes, and Operation Orders were lost.
Indeed the only information available is that afforded by messages sent to the Brigade Headquarters during the action, and the statements of the four men who were the only survivors.
On the night of March 20/21st, the 59th Division was holding the front line of the right flank of the 6th Corps round BULLECOURT. The 178th Infantry Brigade was holding the right forward sector, with the 7th Sherwood’s on the right front, 2/6th Sherwood’s on the left front, and the 2/5th Sherwood’s in support immediately North of the village of NOREUIL, the latter under the command of Lieutenant Colonel H. R. Gadd, M.C., with Major R. C. Trench as second in command.
DISPOSITIONS.
Battalion Headquarters in the sunken road running from NOREUIL to LONGATTE about C.9.d.8.5. The remainder of the Battalion in the trenches and sunken road round about IGAREE Corner at C.10.C.6.9.
An attack by the enemy in force had been expected for some days past.
At about 4.30am on the morning of March 21st, the enemy commenced a heavy bombardment on the whole area with Gas Shells. Gas masks were immediately put on, and the Companies moved out to their stand-to positions:-
RIGHT FRONT:- “B” Company to NOREUIL SWITCH round C.5.C.4.4.
LEFT FRONT:- “A” Company to SYDNEY AVENUE round C.4.d.8.0.
SUPPORT COMPANY:- “D” Company to DEWSBURY TRENCH round C.10.B.7.4.
RESERVE COMPANY:- “C” Company to Sunken Road round C.9.d.8.5.
NARRATIVE.
At 5.00am the enemy commenced a heavy bombardment with High Explosive.
The following messages were received at Brigade Headquarters:-
Message by runner from 2/5th Sherwood’s sent off at 7.05am. “In communication with both front Battalions, who report shelling general, but not very heavy AAA All Battalions are being gassed AAA Greater part of shelling going West of NOREUIL – LONGATTE Road AAA No sign of hostile attack as yet AAA”
Message by runner timed 8.30am “Hostile shelling still heavy, but gassing has ceased AAA Casualties do not appear to be heavy, but this is uncertain AAA”
2nd Lieutenant Williamson, Liaison Officer with Brigade Headquarters went forward and sent back the following message by runner, timed 9.45am. “Heavy Shelling of front line 2nd System, apparently from QUEANT and HENDECOURT AAA NOREUIL Valley heavily shelled AAA No aeroplane activity, and no machine gun fire. So far as can be ascertained the enemy barrage has not yet lifted from the front line.
Message from 5th Sherwood’s timed 10.40am, by runner states “Enemy reported to be about C.11.a.1.5. Enemy barrage on PONTEFRACT and DEWSBURY TRENCHES, and enemy advancing AAA Enemy also attacking near junction of ILKNEY SUPPORT, and HALIFAX AA
Further unconfirmed reports state:- Enemy have penetrated DEWSBURY AAA Am manning NOREUIL – LONGATTE Road, and ready to form defensive flanks to the right”
Message by runner from 2/5th Sherwood’s timed 12 noon:- “Situation as follows:- We are holding NOREUIL SWITCH from C.9.d.9.4. and road near Battalion Headquarters AAA Enemy have captured DEWSBURY and PONTEFRACT, and appear to be digging in AAA Have formed defensive flank down NOREUIL SWITH from C.9.d.9.4. Westwards. Enemy moving in large numbers along ridge C.17.C. AAA Am prolonging my line along road towards LONGATTE AAA Forces at my disposal estimated at 150. AAA
2nd Lieutenant Williamson &th S.F. returned to Brigade Headquarters at 1.00pm reported:- “at 10.15 when nearing the Battalion Headquarters enemy creeping barrage lifted on to the NOREUIL – LONGATTE Road” He remained at Headquarters until 12 noon, and then returned by NOREUIL Village and Valley, at which time the enemy were already in the village.
GENERAL.
The bombardment was apparently extremely heavy, commencing with gas shells and followed from 5.00am onwards with High Explosive.
The thickness of the fog made it extremely difficult for the men to see if the enemy were advancing, or whether our men were approaching.
The enemy appears to have pushed down the NOREUIL Valley in large numbers, and turning, to have attacked the Battalion on its flank.
From information gathered it is certain that the Battalion fought most gallantly, and the last message from Lieutenant Colonel Gadd bears this out.
CASUALTIES.
KILLED. Officers. 3.
Major C. R. C. Trench.
2nd Lieutenant F. Walters.
2nd Lieutenant C. R. Brandreth.
Other Ranks. 3.
MISSING BELIEVED KILLED. Officers. 1.
Captain R. J. Case.
Other Ranks. x 2.
WOUNDED & MISSING. Officers. 3.
Acting Captain H. Waterhouse.
Lieutenant R. E. E. Groner.
2nd Lieutenant P. A. Murphy.
Other Ranks. 8.
MISSING. Officers. 22.
Lieutenant Colonel H. R. Gadd. M.C.
Lieutenant P. S. Whiston.
Lieutenant F. H. Sutherland.
Lieutenant C. L. Wilkinson.
2nd Lieutenant A. H. Chambers.
2nd Lieutenant W. Hague.
2nd Lieutenant R. Stone.
2nd Lieutenant H. E. Barker.
2nd Lieutenant L. J. de Mauny.
2nd Lieutenant S. E. Grayson.
2nd Lieutenant G. A. Middlemiss.
2nd Lieutenant H. C. Pickhall.
2nd Lieutenant W. S. Allen.
2nd Lieutenant A. G. Robinson.
2nd Lieutenant C. M. Wright.
2nd Lieutenant W. W. Hacking.
2nd Lieutenant A. E. Silverwood.
2nd Lieutenant F. E. Andrews.
2nd Lieutenant A. J. Smith.
2nd Lieutenant J. W. Jage.
Captain Mearns. (R.A.M.C.)
Captain A. C. Judd. (Chaplain attached)
Other Ranks. 599.
WOUNDED. Officers. 2.
Captain T. Nadin. (Brigade Headquarters Staff)
Captain W. N. Wright. (Brigade Headquarters Staff)
Other ranks. 12.
SURVIVORS. Other Ranks. 4.
On Friday May 31st 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The following local casualties have been officially reported during the past week:- From Saturday’s list:- Missing: Sherwood Foresters – Appleby, 202046 G. E. (Thurmaston).