Pte
Ernest Walter Fearnley
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1890 |
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Place of birth: Northwich, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 1504 |
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Enlistment place: London (City), Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — King Edward's Horse, 1st Bn. |
Information about death
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Date of death: 31/07/1917 |
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Place of death: Ferdinand Farm, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 27 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: 5 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Private Ernest Walter Fearnley, born around 1890 in Norwich, Norfolk, served with the 1st King Edward’s Horse during the Battle of Passchendaele. He had enlisted together with his younger brother, William. They both served with the 1st King Edward’s Horse. In July 1917 all Squadrons were positioned near Watou, under direct command of the XVIII corps.
“A” Squadron was instructed to control traffic. “B” Squadron came under orders of the 39th Division and “C” Squadron under the 51st Division. The following days were spent preparing for the operation on 31st July. The 39th Division would be on the right of the 51st Division and would attack the village of St Julien, so at 10 pm, 30th July, “B” Squadron moved to Hospital Farm. The 51st Division would be on the left and advanced towards Maison Bulgare. “C “Squadron moved an hour later to Trois Tours.
As the 39th Division met its objective with relative ease, there had been no need to deploy “B” squadron during the operation. “C” Squadron on the other hand, was called upon and went via Below Farm to Gournier Farm, where they arrived around 11am. At 12.30 pm the 1/6th Seaforths called on the “C” Squadron after they had crossed the Steenbeek stream. The squadron mounted and hurried past Vanackert Farm to Ferdinand Farm, where they veered left to cross the Steenbeek. Just before they could cross the stream, heavy machine-gun fire was opened from Maison Du Rasta.
The Squadron dismounted and dug in along the road to Ferdinand Farm. At 11.30 p.m. an order was sent that said that the horses and as many men as could be spared were to return to Essex Farm. Only 10 men and the Hotchkiss gunners were left at Ferdinand Farm. At 8 a.m. they also withdrew and at 11 a.m. the whole squadron was sent to Essex Farm, where they mounted and returned to Watou.
Private Ernest Walter Fearnley was presumably killed near Ferdinand Farm, when “C” Squadron tried to cross the Steenbeek. He was the only man from the other ranks who was killed in action on the 31st. Captain William Henry Dillon was also killed during the operation, Major Swann was wounded and 2nd Lieutenant Brakell went missing. Seven other ranks were wounded, two were injured and 51 horses were either killed or went missing. Ernest has no known grave and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His brother, William, was killed nearly a month later, while working on a road near Ypres.
“A” Squadron was instructed to control traffic. “B” Squadron came under orders of the 39th Division and “C” Squadron under the 51st Division. The following days were spent preparing for the operation on 31st July. The 39th Division would be on the right of the 51st Division and would attack the village of St Julien, so at 10 pm, 30th July, “B” Squadron moved to Hospital Farm. The 51st Division would be on the left and advanced towards Maison Bulgare. “C “Squadron moved an hour later to Trois Tours.
As the 39th Division met its objective with relative ease, there had been no need to deploy “B” squadron during the operation. “C” Squadron on the other hand, was called upon and went via Below Farm to Gournier Farm, where they arrived around 11am. At 12.30 pm the 1/6th Seaforths called on the “C” Squadron after they had crossed the Steenbeek stream. The squadron mounted and hurried past Vanackert Farm to Ferdinand Farm, where they veered left to cross the Steenbeek. Just before they could cross the stream, heavy machine-gun fire was opened from Maison Du Rasta.
The Squadron dismounted and dug in along the road to Ferdinand Farm. At 11.30 p.m. an order was sent that said that the horses and as many men as could be spared were to return to Essex Farm. Only 10 men and the Hotchkiss gunners were left at Ferdinand Farm. At 8 a.m. they also withdrew and at 11 a.m. the whole squadron was sent to Essex Farm, where they mounted and returned to Watou.
Private Ernest Walter Fearnley was presumably killed near Ferdinand Farm, when “C” Squadron tried to cross the Steenbeek. He was the only man from the other ranks who was killed in action on the 31st. Captain William Henry Dillon was also killed during the operation, Major Swann was wounded and 2nd Lieutenant Brakell went missing. Seven other ranks were wounded, two were injured and 51 horses were either killed or went missing. Ernest has no known grave and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His brother, William, was killed nearly a month later, while working on a road near Ypres.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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William George Fearnley
Brother |
Sources 5
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"Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Uniform, 2018, pg. 29-31. Sources used |
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1612104/fearnley,-/ Sources used |
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The Long Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/cavalry-regiments/the-1st-and-2nd-king-edwards-horse/ Sources used |
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War Diary https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Further reference |