No.14028, Private, Ernest Edward PETTITT
Aged 20
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Ernest Edward Pettitt was born in Kirtling in 1896 (Newmarket Q3-1896 3B:518), son of Edward and Sarah PETTITT, (née PURKISS).
1901 census...Aged 4, he was at Torment Cottages, Kirtling with his father Edward PETTITT [42] horseman on farm; his mother Sarah [40], sisters Florence L.[7] and Emma E. [2] and his grandfather James PURKISS [78] retired farm worker. All were born in Kirtling. 1911 census...Aged 14, farm labourer, he was still at Torment Cottages, Kirtling with his parents (father now recorded as James Edward Pettitt), sisters Florence Louise, Emma Ethel and Martha Gladys [9]. Now all the records show Upend, Kirtling. Torment Cottage appears to be in Upend in other records, including the pension card. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. As some records show him as Lance Corporal and his headstone says Private, then it is likely that he was Acting Lance Corporal. Since his medal index card says he died on or since 26th September 1916 it must be that he was killed in action, not as in "Solider Died", 'died of his wounds'. The 8th Suffolks were heavily engaged from 26th to 28th September 1916, taking Schwaben and Zollern trenches but being held up at Schwaben Redoubt. It seems likely that Ernest went in on the first day. His body was not found until after the battle in a sweep of the area marked below. He is recorded in the burial concentration lists in 1919, identified by his disc. During that phase of the battle the 8th Suffolks suffered 200 casualties, 46 killed. |
photo: Rodney Gibson photo: Rodney Gibson
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