Ernest Dewsnap
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Ernest Edward was the son of John and Mary Dewsnap (née Bennett). His father John was born in about 1849 and his mother Mary Bennett in 1851. They were married at Worksop St Mary (Priory) in 1866 and had at least eleven children, two of whom died in infancy. All the children were born in Worksop and baptised at Worksop St Mary: Martha b. 1867 (J/F/M), Caroline birth registered 1870 (J/F/M) bap. 9 March 1870 d. 1872 (J/F/M), Sarah Jane b. 1872, James b. 1874, Mary b. 1875, Phoebe b. 1878, John birth registered 1880 (J/F/M), George Edward b. 1883 bap. 6 June 1883 d. 1884 (reg. J/F/M); Thomas William b. 1884, Ernest Edward birth registered 1888 (J/F/M) and Herbert b. 1890. In 1871 John, a coal miner, and Mary were living at Marecroft, Worksop, with their children Martha (4) and Caroline (1) who died the following year. Also in the household were Mary's widowed father, Samuel Bennett and his daughters Sarah (11) and Charlotte (9). They were still living in Marecroft in 1881 along with their children Martha, Sarah (9), James (7), Phoebe (3) and John (1). Samuel Bennet and his daughter Charlotte were still living with the family. Another son, George, was born two years later but died shortly after his first birthday. At the time of the 1891 Census, Mary was still living at Marecroft but was described as head of household. In the home on the night of the census were seven of her nine surviving children, James, Mary and Phoebe who were agricultural workers, John, Thomas (6), Ernest (3) and Herbert. Martha has not yet been traced on the 1891 Census but Sarah Jane had married John William Pridmore at Worksop St John in 1890. By 1901 John was again recorded as head of household with his family at 39 Marecroft. Only three children, Thomas a carter, Ernest a farm labourer and Herbert, were still living at home. Also in the household was Kate Stubbs (10), John and Mary's granddaughter. Of their other children: Mary had married Henry Rollinson in 1894 (reg. Sheffield), James had married Edith Pressley at Worksop St John in 1896, Phoebe had married John Baines in 1897 and John had married in 1901. Ernest's mother, Mary. died in Worksop in 1910 aged 60. The family home in Marecroft appears to have been given up as the following year both Ernest and his father, who was unemployed, were living in the home of his married sister, Mary Rollinson, her husband and their five children on Sandy Lane. Ernest was now employed as a quarry man. Mary Rollinson completed a form for the army in March 1920 listing Ernest's surviving blood relatives: Father: John Dewsnap, address illegible Brothers: James (47) John Street (-); John (40) Marecroft Worksop; William [Thomas William] (38) Marecroft Worksop; Herbert (31) Worksop. Sisters: Sarah Pridmore (49) address illegible; Mary Rollinson (44) White Hart 104 Bridge Street Worksop. Note: Martha has not yet been traced after 1881 but Phoebe probably died in 1919, the year before Mary completed the form.
Ernest Dewsnap had joined the old Volunteer Force and served with the 4th Notts and Derbys 20th Nov 1905. On 1st April 1908, the new Territorial Force was formed and on the 13 April 1908, he transferred to the 8th Notts and Derby Terriers. He undertook his annual training at Scarborough on 7 June 1908, 25 July 1909, 31 July 1910, 30 July 1911, at Hindlow 31 July 1910 and Thorsby Park, 27 July 1913. A Territorial, he was embodied into service on the 5th August 1914. He was appointed lance corporal on 26 September 1914 and promoted corporal on 11 November 1914. On the 2nd March 1915 he went with the British Expeditionary Force to France. On 14 April he suffered contusions to the lip and chin and on 15 June he was authorised no duty, reason 'shock'. On 18 July, just four months after arriving in France, Ernest was shot by a sniper and shortly after died from his wounds. He had been witness to an incident in the trenches on 17 July 1915 in which 983 Corporal Frank Godson, 'C' Coy, 8th Bn Sherwood Foresters, was accidentally killed. Dewsnap's statement was presented to the Court of Enquiry which sat on 29 July 1915, eleven days after Dewsnap's death. See entry for Frank Godson on this ROH for further details. Ernest has no known grave and is commemorated the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Ernest's nephew, John William Baines, the son of his sister, Phoebe, served with the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) and died of wounds in Palestine on 3 November 1917 aged 19. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Worksop Guardian 30 July 1915 - Corpl. Dewsnap: 'This week we are again called upon to chronicle the death in action of of yet another of Worksop’s brilliant soldier sons. vis. Corpl. Ernest Dewsnap attached to the 8th Batt. of the Notts and Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters, Territorials), son of Mr John and the late Mrs Dewsnap of 247 Kilton Road, Worksop and brother of Mrs Rollinson of the same address. Corporal Dewsnap who is 27 years of age, had served four separate terms of three years each in the Territorials, having 12 years service to his credit. He was well known in the town. 'The following letter has been received by Mr Dewsnap from Lieu-Colonel G Herbert Fowler:- “I am sorry to have to write to tell you that your son was shot on the 18th inst., in a wood behind the trenches we are holding. He died almost immediately. We were very close to the Germans, and a lot of bullets kept coming through the wood. He was shot by a chance one in the body. By his death, the Battalion loses an excellent NCO, and I am sure I am expressing the feelings of the whole of the Battalion when I say how very, very sorry we all are, and what sympathy we feel for his family in their sad loss. He was buried the same night in the military cemetery in the wood. One of our officers, who is a clergyman, officiated. The only consolation I can find is, that he died as an Englishman and for his King and country at a crisis in our existence. With renewed sympathy, believe me, Yours very truly. “ 'Dewsnap was a playing member of the “G” (Worksop) Company of the Notts and Derby Regiment when that Company won the football challenge cup at Thoresby Park in 1913. The greatest sympathy of our readers will go to every member of Corpl. Dewsnap’s family, in their bereavement. Pathetic interest attaches to the photograph we publish of him, it being re-produced from a snapshot taken by the “Guardian” photographer on the day England declared war. We printed the photograph in August above the words “The type of man England is sending to the front. Lance-Corporal E Dewsnap of the Territorials.” Dewsnap was later promoted to full Corporal.' Corpl. Ernest Dewsnap Worksop Guardian 6 August 1915 'News has been received in Worksop confirming the information published in the “Guardian” last week that Corpl. Ernest Dewsnap, attached to the 8th Notts and Derby Regiment (Territorial Force) son of Mr and Mrs John Dewsnap of 247 Kilton Road, Worksop and brother of Mrs Rollinson, of the same address, has been killed in action. He was formerly employed by Mr D J Hornsea of the Home Brewery Company, and writing to Mr Hornsea, Company Sergt.-Major J A Green, a Clayworth man, gives particular of the poor man’s death. He says, “ I am sorry to tell you of the death of Corporal Dewsnap, one of your men. He was one of the best NCO’s and we shall miss him. He was shot by a sniper and died half an hour later. He did not suffer. He did good work in the trenches and died a soldier’s death for his King and country.' Corporal Dewsnap was a witness to an accident in the trenches on 17 July 1915 in which 983 Corporal Frank Godson, 'C' Coy, 8th Bn Sherwood Foresters, was accidentally killed. Dewsnap's statement was presented to the Court of Enquiry which sat on 29 July 1915, eleven days after Dewsnap's death. See entry for Frank Godson on this ROH for further details. Ernest's sister, Mary Rollingson of 274 Kilton Road, dealt with his personal effects and communications with the Army after his death. Ernest's effects comprised: a Testament, 3 coins, pocket book, knife, 2 purses, watch & chain, badge, mirror in case (broken), belt, Union Jack, comb, letters. Research by Colin Dannatt and others
