Ernest V. HOWARTH

21/851, Corporal. b. 1892, Clayton d. Thu. 19th October 1916 (aged 24).

Another man who had come to Clayton after he had become employed, Ernest lived on Druids Street in the village and had been a territorial (or ‘Saturday Night’) soldier for four years before he joined up in February 1915. This was with the Northumberland Fusiliers but this was not to be the regiment he went to France with.

On 24th September 1915 the Lord Mayor of Halifax, in tandem with the City of Leeds, authorised a new battalion to be formed in Halifax town centre; the 21st (Prince of Wales Own) West Yorkshire Regiment, otherwise known as the ‘Wool Textile Pioneers’. This group of men were for the most part workers from the wool mills of the area who formed a new pioneer battalion which was to be used for much of the day-to-day maintenance of the trenches, which was essential to keep the men within them protected from the enemy. Ernest managed to be transferred to this battalion, whilst potentially at the same time receiving promotion to Corporal. He was probably used to train the other men and to help prepare them for the front line, as by this point his territorial training would be invaluable.

He departed with them for France on 21st June 1916 and was in the trenches for nearly four months with the 4th Division of the army before being killed in action by a shell exploding in extremely close proximity to his platoon on 19th October. His commanding officer, Captain Brazier wrote home:

“His loss is a sad one to the company, who will miss him very much as they all know how thoroughly and keenly he did his work; he was such a good and steady fellow. He was buried with another of his comrades the same evening, the place being marked with a cross. Both his platoon commander and myself would like to extend to you our deep sympathy in your sad loss and pray that God will help you to bear your great trouble.”

Before enlisting Ernest held two posts at C & W Dunlop Ltd. and Messrs. Clough, Pike & Co. Ltd. as well as being a regular member of the congregation at Lidget Green Congregational Church.

Ernest is buried at Guards’ Cemetery, outside the village of Lesbouefs in Belgium.