Name
Ernest Somner (Junior)
1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/05/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
15859
Princess Charlotte of Wales’ (Royal Berkshire) Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Panel 7 and 8.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial
Pre War
Ernest Somner was born in 1896 to Ernest Somner, waiter, and Charlotte (nee Preston).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, John W (born 1895), Ernest, James Frederick (born 1899) were living at 2, Thames Court, Eton. Berks.
On the 1911 Census the family of parents, Ernest, James Frederick (born 1899) and Ethel (born 1904) were living at 23, Russell Street, New Windsor, Berks.
Recorded as born in Windsor and living in Letchworth Garden City when he enlisted Bedford.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Ernest.
He was enlisted in the Royal Berkshire Regiment as Private 15859 in the 2nd Battalion following their return from India. The Battalion were part of 25 Brigade, 8 Division and went to France landing at Le Havre on 5 Nov 1914. Ernest was likely to having taken part in the Battles of Neuve Chapelle (10-13 Mar 1915), and Aubers (9 May 1915).
He was reported killed in action in this last action on 9 May 1915, his remains were not recovered and is remembered on the Ploegstreet Memorial.
Biography
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £2 11s 3d was paid to his mother Jane.
Brother James Frederick served as Sub Lieutenant RN DCM and was demobilised in 1919.
Ref to E Somner belonging to St Michael's Church, in Citizen. His father appears on the Norton war memorial.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Dan Hill, Ellen Barnes, Jonty Wild
