Category: Military
Rank: Sapper
Regiment or Ship: Royal Engineers
Service Number(s): 1554 and 534219
Occupation: Errand Boy in China Shop (1911)
Date of Birth: 1895
Place of Birth: Brede, Sussex
Date of Death: 1963
Place of Death: Battle registration district.
Address: 41 Windsor Road, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Grandparents: Horace Firrell, b. 1847, and Charlotte Firrell, b. 1850.
Parents: Ernest Albert Firrell, b. 1874 in Brede, d. 1969, and Annie Firrell (nee Fellows), b. 1874 in Udimore, d. 1956.
Siblings:
Annie M. Firrell, b. 1899 in Bexhill.
In 1911 the family were living at 38 Windsor Road but had moved in 1913 to 41 Windsor Road when Ernest Snr. was working as a gardener.
Spouse: In 1927 Ernest Jnr. Married Frederica Nora Staniforth, 1897-1989.
First World War Experience
Ernest’s service records have not survived but we do know that he fought in the Western Europe Theatre of War (France) and enlisted on 17th May 1915.
A small article appeared in the Bexhill Observer dated 21st September 1918 saying:
“Sapper E. Firrell, R.E., attached to the Lancashire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Firrell, of 41, Windsor-road, returned to France this week after 14 days’ leave. He has been in France about three-and-a-half years.”
Ernest was demobbed on 22nd February 1919 and was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the Victory Medal, and the British War Medal.