Name
Ernest Bygrave
1/3/1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/05/1918
33
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/42141
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
21st
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
REDBOURN (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD
Redbourn
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
No inscription
UK & Other Memorials
Monken Hadley Memorial,
Hadley Common Memorial,
Not on the Redbourn memorials
Pre War
Son of Edward William Bygrave & Elizabeth Sarah (nee Frost) of Wilbraham Cottage, Hadley Highstone. Christened at St Mary, Monken Hadley, on 3rd August 1890.
Husband of Mary Maria Inwood (nee Smith), of 71, Kingston Rd., Luton, and father of Gwendoline M Bygrave.
1901 Census shows Mary Smith living with her aunt, Matilda Totman (nee Parker) at Dane End Farm, Redbourn.
Wartime Service
21st (Islington) Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own). In February 1918 the battalion transferred to 119th Brigade, 40th Division. They were engaged in the Battles of Bapuume and St Quentin during the initial stages of the huge German offensive in late March. They were moved to reinforce the northern part of the British line, and were heavily engaged in the Battle of Estaires and the Battle of Hazebrouck.The battalion suffered heavy losses and was reduced to cadre strength on May 5th. It seems likely that Ernest Bygrave was wounded during this time, sufficiently badly to be evacuated back to England.
Ernest Bygrave died of his wounds on 25 May 1918. Died of wounds. He was buried in the churchyard of St Mary's, Redbourn. The burial register shows he died in the Infirmary, Kidderminster.
On June 30th the remnants of the battalion moved to Boulogne, transferring to 74th Brigade, 25th Division and crossed to England the following day. They were subsequently deployed to Cromer to man the coastal defences.
Additional Information
Soldier's Effects register shows War Gratuity of £8-10-0 to widow Mary M. Sole legatee.
Gratuity amount indicates he enlisted around May 1916
Acknowledgments
Gareth Hughes
David Harbott, Gareth Hughes, Malcolm Lennox
