Ernest Tattersfield

ERNEST TATTERSFIELD

Private 18/1566, 15th/17th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)

Died 12th April 1918 aged 25

No Known Grave Commemorated Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium

Son of Arthur and Mary Jane Tattersfield

Lived 30, Boundary Street, Flush, Heckmondwike

Ernest was born at the end of 1892 and his parents were Arthur Tattersfield born 1868 and Mary Jane nee Warden born 1869. The family were living in the Flush area of Heckmondwike in 1901 and 1911. Ernest was the eldest son and had an older sister and two younger sisters as well as two younger brothers, all born between 1890 and 1907.

His father was a Spinning Overlooker in 1891, 1901 & 1911 but, sadly, died in 1912 aged only 45 years.

Ernest and his family were connected with the United Methodist Chapel.

Ernest joined up in 1915 in the ’Leeds Pals’ Regiment and had twice been in hospital. The first time was with ‘trench foot’ and the second time he was suffering from shock, having been buried by the explosion of a shell.

He had been missing since Easter 1918 and is presumed to have died on 12th April 1918 but has no known grave. His name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium.

His name is also on the Heckmondwike Green Park Memorial and St Saviour’s War Memorial as well as the Parish Church Memorial.

Prior to his enlistment, he worked at Flush Mills of T.F. Firth & Sons Ltd as a Yarn Hanker in 1911 and consequently his name is on the Memorial in Firth Park, Heckmondwike. His name is also on their Roll of Honour at the Clifton Mills site at Bailiff Bridge. When the company closed this Roll of Honour was moved to Brighouse Library.

His name is also on the Bailliff Bridge War Memorial. The land and this memorial was donated by the then owner of T. F. Firths, Sir William Henry Ackroyd, who lived in Lightcliffe.

Ernest was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.{MA-128}

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