Ernest Snowden
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Ernest Snowden was born on the 4th October 1898 in Nottingham.
Son of George Snowden, a French Polisher, and Jane Snowden, née Clay, of 36. Seymour Street, Carlton Road, Nottingham.
His Father, George Snowden was born in Nottingham in 1875, his Mother, Jane Clay was born in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire in 1877, they were married in St. Peter's Parish Church, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire on the 14th November 1896, they had one other Child, May, born in 1903 in Nottingham (a third Child had died in infancy prior to 1911).
In 1911 they lived at 7. Seymour Terrace, Seymour Street, Nottingham.
Ernest Snowden enlisted at Nottingham on 30th January 1915 giving his age as 19 although he was actually sixteen.
He was posted to the 7th Reserve Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters.
He landed in France on 27th October 1915 and was promoted to Lance Corporal on 30th April 1916 and to Corporal on 2nd July 1916.
However, on 24th September 1916 his real age was discovered and he was returned to the base depot in Calais. On 30th September 1916 he was returned to England.
He continued in the army and served on the home front until on 19th November 1916 he died of heart failure.
He is buried in Nottingham General Cemetery.
His father George also joined the Army.
He attested in Nottingham on 24th June 1916 and was posted to the reserves the following day.
He was called up on 9th July 1918; he was 43 years and 357 days old.
He served with the 5th Battalion Royal Army Service Corps and was discharged on 6th February 1919 following the end of the war.
Obituary published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 19th November 1917:-
“SNOWDEN. – In loving memory of Corpl. Ernest Snowden, Sherwood Foresters, 36, Seymour-street, died November 19th, 1916, aged 18. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. – Mother, father, sister, grandparents.”
Above obituary courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
Ernest Snowden
Commonwealth War Grave Commission headstone marking the grave of Ernest Snowden at The General Cemetery, Nottingham. Courtesy of Peter Gillings
Photo of Ernest Snowden
Photograph of Corporal, Ernest Snowden's Headstone in Nottingham General Cemetery by Gary Crosby on the 25th November 2020.