| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Ernest Wiley Sowen was born the 20 Nov 1892 in Beverley, the son of George Wiley Sowen and Emma, of Wood Lane, Beverley. Emma and George Sowen had ten children, Fanny, Edith, Alice, George, Maud, Marianne, Frank, David, Walter and Ernest Wiley. Emma outlived her husband and six of her children. Maud and George died in infancy. In 1892 tragedy struck the family when George Sowen committed suicide, drowning himself in the River Hull and taking two of his sons, Frank (6) and David (4) with him.
Ernest served an apprenticeship as an ironmonger with Briggs and Powell, Beverley. In 1913 he left Liverpool on the 1 Jan on board the 'Corsican' for Canada. He arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Feb 1913, moving to British Columbia and eventually settling in New Westminster. In 1917 he was drafted under the Military Service Act 1917. In his recruitment papers his address is given as 425 Columbia Street, New Westminster and his occupation as teamster. He gave his religion as Baptist and was described as 5' 8ΒΌ" tall, of medium complexion with brown hair and blue eyes.
He joined the 72nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. At 5am on 2 Sep 1918, the Seaforth Highlanders were part of the Canadian Force who attacked the Drocourt-Queant line, part of the northernmost section of the Hindenburg Line. Ernest was killed at the Battle of Drocourt-Queant on the 2 Sep 1918. He was buried at the Wancourt British Cemetery near Arras, France.
He is commemorated on the St Mary's War Memorial, Hengate, Beverley and at Beverley Minster: 'To the memory of East Riding Men who served with other Regiments in the War 1914-1918 and who died: Canadian Forces: Pte Sowen, E W'. He is also commemorated in the Canadian 1st World War Book of Remembrance, page 504 and on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.
Brother Walter was killed in action on 5 May 1915 in Ypres.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |