Ernest George Thornton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Ernest George Thornton was born in 1897 and was the son of the late Allan Thornton a stoker of a stationary boiler and Emily Radford, née Marshall Allen was born in 1870 at Walsall he died in 1907 he was 37 yrs of age, Emily Marshall was born in 1876 at Burton Upon Trent, they were married on 2nd January 1897 at St Modwen Burton upon Trent they had a daughter Ethel born 1894 Emily remarried in 1908 at Mansfield to William Henry Radford. born 1859 a chimney sweep. they lived at 12 Clifford Street, Mansfield.
Private Ernest George Thornton served with the Royal Marine Light Infantry, whilst serving at Gallipoli he was wounded and went missing and was later confirmed as killed in action on 3rd May 1915. Having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Helles Memorial Gallipoli.
It is possible that Ernest had lied about his age when he enlisted. On Royal Marine War Grave Roll his date of birth is 27/08/1895, but on FreeBMD his birth was registered in late 1897, which would have made him only 16 or just 17 when he enlisted. Also on CWGC his age is given has 17 which fits in with a 1897 date of birth. So it is likely that his actually date of birth was 27/08/1897.
