| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Ernest Ingles Widdas was born the 12 Jan 1891, the son John Waistall Widdas, a butcher of Beverley, and Jessie Elizabeth (nee Ingles). The family lived in Sloe Lane, Beverley.
Ernest enlisted in the 5th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment (The Green Howards). The Battalion disembarked in France on 18 Apr 1915 and was thrust into the fighting around St Julien on 25 Apr 1915 (2nd Battle of Ypres). Private Widdas received a gun-shot wound in his thigh, either during the action of 25 Apr or shortly afterwards, and was repatriated to England where he spent nine weeks in Lincoln Hospital. After recuperating, Ernest married by Annie Carter at Walkington Parish Church on 23 Jul 1915, a few days later he rejoined his Regiment at Scarborough
Upon his return to France Ernest served with the 7th Yorks; the 6th Yorks and the 13th Yorks and was also attached to 50th Machine Gun Company of the 17th Division. He was wounded once more while with this unit in 1917 and was in hospital in Etaples in Jan 1918. He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-15 Star.
Ernest Widdas was one of four brothers who served in the British Army; Alec served with the East Yorkshire Regiment (he was wounded and invalided out); Albert served in the Royal Field Artillery and Jack, served with the Machine Gun Corps. They all survived
Ernest resumed his occupation as a painter and decorator, from 1919 Ernest and Annie lived in Cartwright Lane, Beverley, they had two sons, Alfred Inglis and John Malcolm. Annie died in Dec 1952 and Ernest in Sep 1960. They are both buried in Queensgate Cemetery, Beverley.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |