Ernest Chilvers
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Ernest Chilvers was born in 1897 at Stragglethorpe and was the son of Philip and Sarah Jane Chilvers née Skelton of Hawton Grange, Newark. His father Phillip was born in 1871 at Castle Acre, Norfolk and his mother Sarah Jane Skelton was born in 1869 at Normanton on Trent. They were married on 7th April 1896 at Swinton near Rotherham and went on to have seven children, sadly one died in infancy or early childhood. Their surviving children were Ernest b1898 Stragglethorpe, Elizabeth b1900 Buckworth, Lincs, Mabel Annie b1901 Sawtry, Lincs, William b1904 Sawtry, Ellen b1907 Barowby, Lincs and Ethel May b1910 Sibthorpe. In the 1911 census the family were living at Top Green, Sibthorpe and are shown as Phillip 40 yrs, a yardman on a farm, who was living with his wife Sarah Jane 42 yrs and their children, Ernest 13 yrs a farm labourer, Elizabeth 11 yrs a scholar, Mabel Annie 10yrs a scholar, William 7 yrs, Ellen 4 yrs, and Ethel May 1 year old.
Private Ernest Chilvers enlisted at Newark on 24th November 1914. He gave his age as 18 yrs although as he was born in 1897 he was only 17 yrs old. He was a farm labourer employed by J.Hobb of Norwell. Ernest lived at Hawton Grange near Newark and named his father, Phillip, of the same address as his next of kin. Ernest was posted to the 2/8th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. On 28th June 1915 he was transferred to the 1/8th battalion Sherwood Foresters and on the same date embarked from Southampton, disembarking the following day at Rouen, France. He suffered a gunshot wound on 14th October 1915 and was admitted to the 1st Casualty Clearing Station and then transferred to the 5th Stationary Hospital at Abbeville. He died there of his wounds on 27th October 1915 and buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery (grave ref. III. C. 15). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Abbeville Communal Cemetery (extract): 'For much of the First World War, Abbeville was headquarters of the Commonwealth lines of communication and No.3 BRCS, No.5 and No.2 Stationary Hospitals were stationed there variously from October 1914 to January 1920. The communal cemetery was used for burials from November 1914 to September 1916, the earliest being made among the French military graves. The extension was begun in September 1916.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC personal inscription headstone: 'One of the best just a brave British lad all that he had he gave' Report published on 15th August 1917 in the Newark Advertiser:- 'Eldest son of Philip & Sarah Jane Chilvers of Hawton Grange Cottage. Was in farm service with Mr Robb, at Norwell for eighteen months before enlisting on Nov. 24th, 1914. Joined 2/8th Sherwood Foresters, subsequently transferred to 1/8th. First to inform Mrs Cartwright, who lives next door to his parents, of the death in action of her son Pte. George Cartwright. The two having been firm friends. Admitted to No.5 Stationary Hospital, B Section, Abbeville with a very severe gunshot wound in the abdomen. Passed away very quietly at 9:00 pm on Oct. 27th.'
