Military History

Ernest is listed as having died of exposure on 30^th November 1915. The 9^th Battalion war entries for the 28^th to 30^th are transcribed below and are self-explanatory.

Sujalik – Nov 28^th 1915: At 5am a blizzard set in; snow fell all day and a very cold wind was blowing . This produced many cases of frostbite & trench feet as all the men were soaking wet still from the flood. The enemy seems thoroughly demoralised and a large number of them were killed today whilst walking about in the open!. The spirit of our men is splendid.

The devotion to duty of the Regimental Medical Officer, C.T. Galbraith, is certainly worthy of special mention. He is the only MO in the Brigade who has not gone sick and in addition to attending to our own enormously increased sick parades he is attending to the sick and wounded of every Regiment in this Brigade besides the 72^nd Field Coy R.E.

Sujalik – Nov 29^th 1915: Today was fine but a heavy frost again set in last night, Men still continue to break up suddenly with trench feet. In spite of that however, they are exemplary in their cheerfulness and willingness to work. Another party of 3 officers and 100 went out to dig on the Salt Lake defences in the night.

2/Lt Owen and 56 men were sent to hospital last night.

Sujalik – Nov 30^th 1915: Owing to the number of men we have had to send to Hospital in the last three day, three Coys have now been put in the Firing and Support lines, leaving one Coy in reserve. 2/Lt Labbett (Lincs Regt, attached) and 58 men were marched to Hospital last night, 27 men in addition having to be sent away on stretchers. The strength of the Battalion has gone down from 26 Officers and 660 men to 22 Officers and 490 men since the bad weather commenced.