Lance Corporal Ernest Emmerson

Although Ernest was born in Scholes in 1893 (Civil Registration indexes, Reference 2nd quarter 1893, Rotherham 9c 732), he was not living here at the time of his enlistment. The family had by then moved to Attercliffe in Sheffield. His family can be traced back to 1836 in the village, his grandfather George having been born here then. They also were miners. His parents George and Maria lived at 128 and Ernest was probably born there. He appears to have been their only child.

Ernest also enlisted with the York and Lancaster Regiment, serving in the B Company, 12th Battalion, Sheffield Pals, also part of the 94th Brigade, 31st Division. This battalion’s story is well known. It was wiped out in a few days in the battle of the Somme. The date of Ernest’s death is given as 1st July 1916, killed in action. The date is the first day of the battle. The battalion was ordered into the frontline opposite the heavily fortified village of Serre. Battalion losses by the 3rd of July were 513. He is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 2. (5)