Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Service no. 75835, and Manchester Regiment, 1/5 Battalion, Service no. 58222
Born: 3rd September 1897. Died: 26th March 1965
Story
Ernest was born in Hightown, Liversedge, and was the son of Thomas Henry Bottomley and Mary Hannah Wood. His occupation was a farm labourer/cowman.
According to records, Ernest first enlisted on 2nd February 1916, at the age of 18, and was called up in July of that year, but he was transferred to Army Reserve B. He was recalled for service on 23rd May 1918 at the age of 20 and was given the service number 75835 in the 3rd West Yorkshire Regiment. On June 28th 1918, he was attached to the 7th Reserve Battalion of the Worcester Regiment for training. On the 17th October 1918 he was transferred to the British Expeditionary Force at Blyth. By 23rd October he had been permanently transferred to the 1/5 Battalion, Manchester Regiment, and given the service number 58222, after which he served abroad, in the field.
It is thought by family members that he was wounded, but in records of a medical Inspection in Belgium on 26th January 1919 he signed to say that he was not claiming any disability from his war service. On 31st January 1919, he is recorded as having embarked at Dunkirk for passage back to England, and proceeded to Clipstone Barracks. He was granted a 28 day leave card at that point, and upon demobilization, he was transferred to Class Z army reserve but was granted early release on the grounds of his occupation as a farmer. Once, when he came home on leave, his mother had to hose him down outside because he was covered in lice and mud. Ernest received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. He married Annie Conner, shop assistant, on Boxing Day 1933 (below). Annie was the Aunt of Barbara Shackleton of Great Preston. Ernest later worked for Bunill’s Flour Distributors in Cleckheaton, and passed away at Staincliffe General Hospital, Dewsbury, aged 67. They lived at 42 Clough Lane, Hightown at the time.
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