Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Mason, a framework knitter, born in the October quarter of 1845 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire (son of Thomas Mason, 1811-1869 and Mary Ann Pallett, 1809-1894) and his wife Jane Mason (nee Ross, married on the 3rd September 1866 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna), a framework knitter, born in the January quarter of 1846 in Wigston Magna and baptised on the 5th April 1846 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna (daughter of Samuel Ross, 1818-1893 and Elizabeth Cooper, 1823-1893). Ernest Samuel was born in the April quarter of 1878 and baptised on the 4th August 1878 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, his siblings were, George, a framework knitter, born in the October quarter of 1866 and baptised on the 2nd December 1866 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, Arthur Robert, a schoolboy, born in the April quarter of 1868 and baptised on the 5th July 1868 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, Thomas Joseph, a schoolboy, born in the October quarter of 1869 and baptised on the 3rd April 1870 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, Harry Edgar, a schoolboy, born on the 10th April 1871 and baptised on the 4th June 1871 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, James Edward, a schoolboy, born in the April quarter of 1873 in Wigston Magna and baptised on the 3rd August 1873 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, Joseph William, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1876 and baptised on the 7th May 1876 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna and Mary Ann Elizabeth, born in the April quarter of 1880 and baptised on the 4th July 1880 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, all his siblings were born in Wigston Magna, in April 1881 the family home was at 60, Leicester Road, Wigston Magna. In April 1891 Ernest was employed as a framework knitter and was residing in the family home at Leicester Road, Wigston Magna, together with his father a framework knitter, his mother and siblings, Harry, a shoe trade pressman, James, a shoe trade riveter Joseph, a framework knitter, Mary, a schoolgirl and Edwin Rosa, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1885 in Wigston Magna and baptised on the 1st March 1885 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna. Ernest’s mother died in the October quarter of 1894 in Wigston Magna, aged 47 years. In March 1901 Ernest was absent from the family home at 7, Gladstone Street, Wigston Magna, residing there was his widowed father, a stocking framework knitter (Rothwell) and his siblings Elizabeth, a stocking framework knitter (Griswold) and Edwin, a stocking framework knitter (Rothwell), meanwhile Ernest was serving as a Private with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regt. Ernest’s father died on the 5th October 1910 in Wigston Magna, aged 64 years. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a house painter and was residing in the family home at Main Street, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, together with his wife Rose Mason (nee Elliott, married on the 3rd August 1908 in St. Andrew’s Church, Countesthorpe) born on the 26th May 1884 in Countesthorpe (daughter of Thomas Elliott) and their son Arthur, born on the 13th October 1910 in Countesthorpe. Ernest’s brother James Edward, was killed in action on the 18-19th December 1914.
Ernest enlisted/attested into the Militia on the 16th June 1897 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 6256. He gave his place of birth as Wigston, Leicester and age as 19 years. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosier, presently in the employ of Messrs. Bates and Company, Clothes Manufacturers. He gave his present address as 6, Leicester Road, Wigston, Leicester.
He confirmed that he had previously been rejected as unfit for Her Majesty’s Service due to being under the required chest measurement.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 19 years, height 5-feet 7¼ inches weight 121 lbs, chest measurement of between 32 and 33½ inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Militia. Date 16th June 1897. Place Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of militia service are taken from the following sources: - Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 16/6/1897.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 16/6/1897.
Commenced. 76 days drill training. 16/6/1897.
Transferred. To Leicestershire Regt. 14/9/1897.
Ernest enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 14th September 1897 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 5081. He gave his place of birth as Wigston, Leicestershire and age as 19 years 6 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosier.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Militia.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 19 years 6 months, height 5-feet 7⅜ inches weight 123 lbs, chest measurement of between 33 and 34½ inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 14th September 1897. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Joseph, 60, Leicester Road, Wigston, Leicestershire. Gladstone Street, Wigston, Leicestershire. Brothers, Joseph (1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt.). James (2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt.). Arthur (2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt.). Thomas, Henry and Edwin. Sister Elizabeth.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 14/9/1897.
Posted. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 14/9/1897.
Transferred. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 8/1/1898.
Elected to come under the conditions of pay Warrant dated 2/4/1898. 1/6/1898.
Transferred. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 13/5/1899.
Granted. 1d Good Conduct Pay. 14/9/1899.
Transferred. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 24/9/00
Transferred. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 4/9/01.
Forfeits. 1d Good Conduct pay. 10/10/01.
Restored. 1d Good Conduct pay. 15/10/02.
Awarded. 3rd Class Certificate of Education. 28/8/03.
Discharged. From Netley, medically unfit. (Insane). 5/4/04.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 14/9/1897 – 12/5/1899. 1 year 241 days.
South Africa. 13/5/1899 – 12/8/00. 1 year 92 days.
Home Service. 13/8/00 – 3/9/01. 1 year 22 days.
South Africa. 4/9/01 – 6/11/02. 1 year 64 days.
India. 7/11/02 – 14/1/04. 1 year 69 days.
Home Service (Invalided). 15/1/04 – 5/4/04. 82 days.
Total Service. 6 years 205 days.
He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal and Clasps, Talana, Defence of Ladysmith and Transvaal. King’s South Africa Medal and Clasps 1901 and 1902.
Ernest enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 2nd September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 11516. He gave his place of birth as Wigston Magna, Leicestershire and age as 31 years 135 days. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as painter.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 31 years 135 days, height 5-feet 5¼ inches weight 142 lbs, chest measurement of between 37½ and 39½ inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was brown. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 2nd September 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Rose Mason, 4, Peel Street, Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 2/9/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 3/9/14.
Posted. To 8th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 24/9/14.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). 7/12/14.
Embarked. 29/7/15.
Killed in action. Place not stated. In the Field. 15/7/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 2/9/14 – 28/7/15. 330 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 15/7/16. 353 days.
Total Service. 1 year 318 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 16th January 1917, Ernest’s widow Rose, of 4, Peel Street, Leicester, was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of fifteen shillings for herself and her son, commensurate on the 29th January 1917.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 15 Jul-16 - 6.00am. Battalion had orders to withdraw to a spot in rear of MAMETZ WOOD together with the 7th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. On its arrival it was ordered to resume its positions in BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD as soon as possible, which it did. Nothing of importance happened after this till the Battalion was relieved except continual sniping from the enemy. Rations and water and small arms ammunition came up each evening and were successfully distributed except in the case of an isolated party of “B” Company in BAZENTIN village on evening of 14th.
[recognitum XVIII-XI-MMXXII]