Ernest REEVES was born on the 24th December 1894 in Cardiff, the son of William and Sarah Annie REEVES. She was from Wooton-under-Edge in Gloucester.

At the time of the Census of 1901 Ernest was living with his mother in Spring Street, Newport. Also in the household at that time were his older sister, Girtey, then aged 8, his younger sister, Alice, aged 4, his brother William, then a year old, and his grandfather, William REEVES, then aged 81.

The family then moved to Cardiff where Ernest attended Gladstone School. By the Census of 1911 Ernest had moved to live with a Walter Fred BLOMELEY and his wife Hannah and their 6 children at Martin's Terrace, Abercynon. At this time Ernset, at 16 years of age, was working as an engine attendant at one of the local colleries.

On 15th August 1914, eleven days after Britain's declaration of war on Germany, Ernest joined the Glamorgan Constabulary however he resigned from the Force on 23rd April 1915, whilst stationed at Penarth, and joined 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards. The Welsh Guards were a newly formed Foot Guard Regiment, founded by Royal Warrant of Geoger V on 26th February 1915.

The Battalion landed in France on 17th August 1915 and took part in its first major action on 27th September during the Battle of Loos. At 4pm on that day the Battalion came under heavy artillery fire as it marched along the Vermelles-Loos Road. Despite suffering many casualties the Battalion continued on to the front line. At 6pm it attacked an enemy held position known as Hill 70. Unfortunately the Battalion sustained heavy casualties due to enemy machine guns positioned on the summit.

It is likely that Ernest was killed either during this engagement or the artillery bombardment which preceded it.

Ernest was 20 years of age when he died. He was survived by his mother, who, at the end of the war was living in Dogfield Street, Cathays, Cardiff, his father having pre-deceased him.

Ernest has no known grave and is remembered on the Loos Memorial and the Glamorgan Police War Memorial at Bridgend.

WE REMEMBER.

Legion Supporter