Name
Ernest John Griffin
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
08/05/1918
36
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
L/13267
17th (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Lancers
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIGNACOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
Plot II, Row A, Grave 8.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Mary's Parish Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of George and Elizabeth (nee RODWELL) GRIFFIN; husband of Ella Annie (nee DRYBURGH) GRIFFIN.
His parents married 22 October 1860 at Sts Peter & Paul, Wingrave, Bucks. George died 1920 in Watford aged 85, and was buried 3 February in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Elizabeth died 1927 in Watford aged 85, and was buried 25 January, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Ernest was born 15 May 1881 in Rowsham, Bucks, and baptised 28 August 1881 at Sts Peter & Paul, Wingrave. He attended first Miss Hannah de Rothschild’s Infants’ School, Wingrave, from 29 September 1885 to May 1887. He married 1908 in the Guildford, Surrey, district; they had one child. He resided in Watford. Ella never remarried, and died 15 November 1973 in Watford aged 92.
On the 1891 Census, a scholar aged 9 he lived in Aston Abbots, Bucks, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1901 Census, he is proving elusive. On the 1911 Census, a coachman aged 30, he lived in Shanty Green, Surrey, with his wife and one child.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Dover, Kent; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals, his qualifying date being 6 October 1914, and died of natural causes.
Additional Information
There is a Death announcement for Ernest in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 18 May 1918. Unfortunately, Ernest’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
