Butcher

Ernest Frederick Butcher

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Butcher, Ernest Frederick

1888, Ewell, Surrey

Henry and Lucy (née Wheble)

9th Field Company, Royal Engineers

17064

Sapper

7 May 1915, Woking Surrey, age 27

12 May 1915, St John’s Cemetery, Woking, Surrey

Biography:
Ernest Frederick Butcher was born in Ewell, Surrey, in 1888, the son of Henry, a domestic coachman, and Lucy (née Wheble).
He was the middle of five children, having two brothers and two sisters.

In about 1895, Henry and his family moved to Woking. After leaving school, Ernest was employed as a bricklayer by Woking
builder, James Harris.

Ernest enlisted on the outbreak of war, joining the Royal Engineers and would likely have been employed as a bricklayer. He stood
5 feet 9¼ inches tall and weighed 133 pounds. His complexion was described as ‘sallow’; he had blue eyes and fair hair.

In September 1914, 9th Field Company were with IV Division. Ernest was badly injured in the back on 22nd September and was
transferred to 4th General Hospital in Oxford. After 3 months, he was invalided from the service and returned home. On 1st May
1915, Ernest entered Woking Victoria Cottage Hospital for an operation. Despite the care given, he died on 7 May 1915.

Ernest Frederick Butcher is buried in St John’s churchyard. His headstone also bears the name of his brother-in-law, Albert
Welcome, who is also commemorated on the St John’s Memorial.