Name
Eric Lillywhite Lailey
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/02/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BARD COTTAGE CEMETERY
Plot I, Row F, Grave 14.
Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey
Pre War
Son of Ernest Henry Lillywhite and Leah Weeks (nee LILLYWHITE) LAILEY of Watford.
His parents married 28 April 1891 at St Michael’s, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts. Leah died 24 July 1923 in Watford aged 61, and was buried 27 July at St James’, Bushey, Herts. Ernest remarried 1924 in the Watford district to Ellen SUMMERS; he died 25 March 1942 in Watford aged 75, and was buried 28 March at St James; Ellen died 1945 in Watford aged 84, and was buried 9 November, also at St James.
Eric was born 14 November 1894 in Bushey, and baptised 14 December 1894 at St James’, Bushey. He was educated at Bedales School, Petersfield, Hants; then spent upwards of two years at University College, London, qualifying as a civil engineer.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
On the 1901 Census, aged 6 he lived in Oxhey, Herts, with his parents and one sibling. On the 1911 Census, aged 16 with no occupation, he still lived in Oxhey, with his parents and three siblings.
Wartime Service
He attested 15 September 1914 at Euston Road, London in the Territorial Force 4 years service in the U.K., Private 2700 28th (County of London) Battalion London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles): aged 19, 5’9″ tall. He was discharged 10 November 1914 in consequence of appointment to a commission.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being July 1915, and was killed in action 28 February 1916.
He was originally buried in Lodi Cemetery, Ypres, and his effects were sent to his father of Watford.
Additional Information
There is an article about Eric in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 11 March 1916.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
