Ernest Hodgkiss

Ernest Hodgkiss was baptised at Ironbridge Church on 19th February, 1898. He was the son of Martha Hodgkiss, a domestic servant. In 1901 Ernest was an inmate of the Madeley Union Workhouse at Ironbridge but by 1911 he was living with his uncle and aunt, Francis and Ellen Vaughan, at Colemore Green, Astley Abbotts. The family later moved to Norton.

Ernest served with the 1st Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry, but at the time of his death he was attached to the 2nd Battalion Welsh Regiment. He died of wounds on 28th July, 1916, during the Battle of Pozières phase of the Somme campaign 1916. He is buried in the Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Private Ernest Hodgkiss, 17138 KSLI att. 2nd Welsh R., was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.