Ernest William Brotherhood
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of Samuel and Annie Brotherhood (née Jackson). His father was born in London in about 1845 and his mother was born in Sneinton in about 1852. Samuel and Annie were married at Nottingham St Mary in September 1870 and had six children, one of whom died in childhood: George James b. 1872, Lavinia Ann birth registered 1874 (J/F/M), Walter Herridge birth registered 1876 (J/F/M), Samuel Ardley b. 1878 d. abt 1880, Arthur Gerald b. 1882 and Ernest William b. 1884. With the exception of Walter and Samuel for whom no baptism record has yet been traced, the other four children were baptised at Sneinton St Stephen, Ernest on 14 December 1884. Samuel, a carpenter and Venetian blind maker, and Annie lived at 2 Colton Terrace after their marriage and were still living there when their fourth son, Arthur, was baptised in 1882. However, by 1891 Samuel and Annie were living at 91 Sneinton Road, Sneinton, with four of their five surviving children: Lavinia a music teacher, Walter who worked with his father as a Venetian blind maker, and Arthur and Ernest who were still at school. George, the eldest son, also a Venetian blind maker, was living with his grandparents, John and Elizabeth Hunt, also on Sneinton Road. George (18) had attested in the 4th Bn. Notts & Derby Regiment (Militia) on 14 April 1891, was 'present' in 1892 but only served until 20 February 1893 when he was discharged by purchase. Samuel and Annie, were still living at 91 Sneinton Road in 1901. Their sons Arthur and Ernest were both Venetian blind makers and Annie was also assisting in the business as a machinist. Walter was also a Venetian blind maker but he had married Elizabeth Jane Taylor at Hyson Green St Paul in 1900 and they were living in Russell Place, Nottingham. George, a roofing slater, was recorded boarding with a family in Rochford, Essex, while the only daughter, Lavinia, had married Harry Jeyes at Meadows St Saviour in 1895 and they and their three children were living in Aston, Birmingham. Arthur and Ernest were still living with their parents at 91 Sneinton Road in 1911, but Ernest was now employed as a tripe dresser and his mother was no longer working in the business. Walter, now living with his wife in Cairns Square, Nottingham, was still assisting in his father's business. Annie Brotherhood completed a form for the army in May 1919 listing her son Ernest's surviving blood relatives: Parents: Samuel and Annie, 91 Sneinton Road, Sneinton. Brothers: George (47) Southend-on-Sea; Walter (43) Brierley Street Meadows Nottingham; Arthur (38) 'Army-missing.' (Note: See 'Extra information') Sister: Lavinia Jeyes, Small Heath Birmingham. Samuel Brotherhood died in 1921 and his widow Annie in 1925.
Ernest joined the army on a short service engagement ('Duration of War'), service reckoned from 18 August 1915. He was 30 years 9 months old, occupation stock keeper. He named his father, Samuel, of 91 Sneinton Road, Sneinton, as his next of kin. He joined at Pontefract, Yorkshire on 21 August 1915 and was posted to the 3rd Bn. York & Lancaster Regiment on 10 September 1915 and to the 2nd Bn. on 16 December 1915. He served with the BEF France from 16 December 1915. He was taken ill 'in the field' on 12 March 1916, admitted to No. 167 Field Ambulance suffering from PUO [pyrexia of unknown origin] and was transferred to No. 12 Casualty Clearing Station on 14 March, diagnosed with tonsillitis. After Ernest rejoined the battalion it was moved to the Ypres Salient. He was badly wounded in action and treated at Essex Farm dressing station where he died on 21 May 1916. He was buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. II.T.14). Ernest qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. Service history: Home 18 August 1915-15 December 1915 (120d). France 16 December 1915-21 May 1916 (158d), Total 278 days. CWGC - History of Essex Farm Cemetery (extract): 'The land south of Essex Farm was used as a dressing station cemetery from April 1915 to August 1917. The burials were made without definite plan and some of the divisions which occupied this sector may be traced in almost every part of the cemetery, but the 49th (West Riding) Division buried their dead of 1915 in Plot I, and the 38th (Welsh) Division used Plot III in the autumn of 1916.' (www.cwgc.org)
His brother Arthur Gerald served with the 1/7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (265954 Private) and was killed in action on 21 March 1918 (death on that date presumed). Arthur is commemorated on the Sneinton St Stephen Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour) His brother Walter served in the RAF (169603) from 21 May 1918. He was aged 42y 5m, occupation blind maker (labourer). He transferred to the RAF Reserve on 6 February 1919 and was demobilized on 30 April 1920. Following Ernest Brotherhood's death his mother received the following sums of money from the Army as his legatee - 3/10d separation allowance and 3/6d pay. Ernest's personal property was returned to his father in 1916 who signed the receipt on 16 August.
