Ernest Dutton
1911 - lace design copier
1914 - enlisted, occupation collier
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Ernest Walter was son of Walter and Annie Newton Dutton (née Andrews).
His father Walter was born in 1871 in Leeds and his mother Annie Newton Andrews was born in 1873 in Crowland, Lincolnshire. They were married at Nottingham St Mark on 28 December 1891 and according to the 1911 Census had had six children, one of whom had died. Five children have been identified from the census and birth registrations: Leonard b. 1894, Ernest Walter (Walter) b. 1896, Robert Edward (Edward) b. 1902, William Archibald (Archie) b. 1905 and Frank b. 1908. Another son, Stanley, was born in 1911 (reg. OND) and probably a daughter, Eveline A. birth registered 1914 (JFM, Dutton/Andrews), who died age three in 1917 (reg. JFM).
Walter snr. moved to Nottingham before his marriage and was recorded in 1891 as a lodger at 33 Queen's Walk, Nottingham. His occupation was given as clock maker.
He, his wife and their two sons, Leonard and Ernest, were living at 5 Ritson Terrace, Nottingham, in 1901. Walter was still working as a watch and clock jeweller and repairer.
By 1911 the couple had moved to 137 Dame Agnes Street, Nottingham. The census gave the occupation of both as 'beer keeper (brewery' on their own account. Their five sons were in the home on the night of the census: Leonard, an hotel page, Ernest a lace design copier, Edward and Archie who were school age, and Frank. Stanley was born later that year and their sister Evelyn in 1914 (d. 1917).
Ernest gave his address as 30 Eastville Street, Nottingham, when he attested in 1914, and named his father, of the same address, as his next kin. The family was still living at this address the following year.
Walter, a watch and clock repairer (at home), and his wife were living at 69 Woodborough Road, Nottingham, in 1921. Four of their five surviving sons were living at home: Edward an apprentice mechanic (Dobsons Ltd, lace machine builders), Archie a shop assistant at 261 Alfred Street and Frank and Stanley who were at school. Their brother Leonard had married Ethel F Leeson in 1916 (reg. Dover), and they were living at 262 Alfred Street Central with their two children, Doreen and Richard. Leonard was a billard saloon proprietor (own account) with premises on Beastmarket Hill.
Edward married Marguerite F Davy in 1927 and in 1939 they were living on Nuthall Road, Nottingham; Edward was an automobile company director. Archie was living with his wife Joyce (née Hogg m. 1932) on Rodney Road, West Bridgford, in 1939. He was managing director of a commercial vehicles sales and repairs company and also a representative in a group under the aegis of the Ministry of Transport. The youngest son, Stanley, married Doris Hardy in 1934 and they were living at Redhill, Arnold, in 1939. Stanley was a car salesman and also an ARP warden.
Their father had died at his home, 153 Hucknall Road, Nottingham, on 21 February 1937 and his widow Annie was living at the same address in 1939 with her son Frank ('retired/incapacitated'). She employed a housekeeper, Ivy Rowland, who married Frank in 1941.
Annie's home was still at 153 Hucknall Road when she died in March 1957. Probate was awarded to her sons William Archibald, company director, and Frank, engineer. Frank continued to live in the family home until his death in October 1965 (probate awarded to his brother Archie and a solicitor).
Leonard died in 1959, Robert Edward in 1963 (reg. JFM), Archibald William in 1981 and Stanley in 1997 (Nottingham Evening Post, 13 June and 9 July).
Ernest Dutton enlisted on 13 May 1914. He gave his age as 17y. 6m., occupation collier (Digby Colliery Company. Ernest was living at 30 Eastville Street, Nottingham, and named his father, Walter, of the same address, as his next of kin.
He was posted to the 1/7th Battalion (Robin Hood Rifles) Notts & Derby Regiment and transferred to embodied service on 5 August 1914.
Ernest embarked on 28 February 1915 for BEF France. He died at 8th Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, on 12 October 1915; the cause of death given as 'Syncope. N.Y.D [Not Yet Diagnosed]' (heart condition). He was buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery (grave ref I.K.12).
Ernest had served for 1 year 153 days. He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC History of Wimereux Communal Cemetery (extract): Wimereux is 5km from Boulogne. 'The Commonwealth War Graves are situated to the rear of the Communal Cemetery. Because of the sandy nature of the soil, the headstones lie flat upon the graves ... Wimereux was the headquarters of the Queen Mary's Army Auxilliary Corps during the First World War and in 1919 it became the General Headquarters of the British Army. From October 1914 onwards, Boulogne and Wimereux formed an important hospital centre and until June 1918, the medical units at Wimereux used the communal cemetery for burials, the south-eastern half having been set aside for Commonwealth graves, although a few burial were also made among the civilian graves.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: Son of Walter and Annie Dutton, of Nottingham.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends'
Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour, 18 October 1915:
'Dutton. On the 12th inst., on active service, Private Ernest Dutton, 1/7th Robin Hoods, of 30, Eastville-street, in his 19th year. Greater love hath no man than this, he lay down his life for his friends. – From sorrowing father, mother, brothers, and sisters.'
'Dutton. In loving memory of Private Ernest Dutton, 1/7th Robin Hoods, died October 12th, 1915, aged 18 years, of 30, Eastville-street.'
'Dutton. On the 12th inst. on active service, Private Ernest Dutton, 1/7th Sherwood Foresters, of 30 Eastville Street, in his 19th year.'
Above courtesy of Jim Grundyfacebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-198.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 22 February 1937: ‘Dutton. On the 21st February at 153 Hucknall-road, Walter, aged 66 years, dearly beloved husband of Annie, passed peacefully away. Funeral arrangements later.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk). Also notices from (1) Arch, Joyce and daughters (2) Edward, Daisy and son (3) Leonard, Ethel and family (4) sister Amy.
Probate: Dutton Walter of 153 Hucknall-road Nottingham died 21 February 1937 Probate Nottingham 14 May to William Archibald Dutton and Frank Dutton, both engineers.
Nottingham Evening Post, 20 February 1963. Report of the death in Canada of Flt. Lt. Donald Herbert Laurie McElmon RCAF (32), husband of Mrs Sheila McElmon (née Dutton), the daughter of Mr and Mrs Archie Dutton of Mapperley Park, who was on a visit to her parents while her husband was on an extended flying training course in Canada. Flt. Lt. McElmon had been flying a CF104 Starfighter which crashed on Methey Lake, south-east of Edmonton, Alberta. The couple had met when he was stationed at North Luffenham and were married at Nottingham St Peter on 1 July 1954; they had one daughter.
Sheila & Donald McElmon: Nottingham Evening Post, 28 June 1954 (forthcoming marriage) and 20 February 1963 ('Death', wife and daughter)
Additional research and record updated, RF (Jan. 2026).
Ernest Dutton
Photograph of the commonwealth wargraves commission headstone marking the grave of Ernest Dutton at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France. Plot 1I, Row K, Grave 12. courtesy of the Sherwood Foresters Regiment roll of honour website