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This data is related to World War 2
Civilian

Ernest Osborne Armes (54)

Service Number N/A
Military Unit Co-op Bakery Meadow Lane Nottingham 9/5/1941
Date of birth Unknown
Date of Death Unknown (Age Unknown)
Place of Birth Beeston, Nottingham (19/4/1887)
Employment, Education or Hobbies Ernest Armes was a confectioner/cake maker
Family History

He was the husband of Ada Armes (née Burgin: they were married in 1909) and the father of Ernest, Albert and Ada Armes. They lived at 5, Baron Street, Radford in 1911. During his 1914-19 military service, their home was at 11, Ebury Terrace, Old Lenton. By 1941, Ernest and Ada had moved to 4, Elm Tree Terrace, Spring Close, Old Lenton (all addresses Nottingham).

Military History

Nottingham’s heaviest loss of life at a single location during May 9th 1941’s air raid occurred within the Co-op Bakery on Meadow Lane where 49 night shift workers perished. The bakery was hit twice; one bomb caused tons of flour stored on upper floors to crash down to ground level. A second device penetrated the bakery’s air raid shelter roof before exploding amongst the assembled work force. Rescue efforts were impeded by blazing fat. For an excellent account of this incident, see David Needham, Battle of the Flames, Nottingham’s Fight for Survival in WWII (2nd Ed. Chesterfield: Banister Publications Ltd, 2020 p.p. 141-142. First Ed. Horizon Press, 2009).

Extra Information

Ernest Armes enlisted 7/9/1914 into 7th Bn Sherwood Foresters (2380) and entered theatre 25/2/1915. He was gassed 13/10/15 and received a gunshot wound to his left hand 21/3/1918. He was then transferred to the Labour Corps (679549) and discharged 14/1/1919. Nottingham Evening Post, 9/5/1942, Page 2, In Memoriam: ARMES – Memories silently trteasured of Ernest, killed by enemy action, May 9th 1941. Loving husband of Ada and father of Ernest, Albert and Ada. – Sadly missed by all. ARMES – Ernest. Treasured memories of our old pal. – Mr and Mrs Watson.

Photographs

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