Ernest Shuttle. Joined aged 17, died aged 19
Ernest Shuttle Died 20th March 1916
Ernest was born in 1897 in Wokingham to father James and mother Kate (nee Beaven), both of whom had passed away by the beginning of the war. He was the second born and had five siblings, one brother and five sisters. By the age of 18 he had become a Railway checker (from his attestation). His parents lived at 2 Wellington Road, Wokingham before and during the war.
Ernest joined the Rifle Brigade 3rd Battalion in August 1914, quickly becoming a Serjeant in the 20 months he served. In March 1916 he was killed during fighting around Ypres. He is believed to be buried in Maple Copse Cemetery, which was the name given by the Army to a small plantation about 900 metres east of the village of Zillebeke, and just west of Sanctuary Wood. The place was used by Advanced Dressing Stations and burials took place there both before and after the Battle of Mount Sorrel in June 1916. However, in that engagement, and in later fighting, the graves were mostly destroyed. He had been previously wounded and took six months to recuperate and was killed only three weeks after his return. Ernest was only 19 when he died having joined illegally at 17 stating he was born two years earlier (minimum age was 19 in 1914).
Name: SHUTTLE
Initials: E G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Rifle Brigade
Unit Text: 3rd Bn.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 20/03/1916
Service No: B/952
Additional information: Son of Mrs. J. K. Shuttle, of 2, Wellington Rd., Wokingham, Berks.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. D. 12.
Cemetery: MAPLE COPSE CEMETERY
2 Wellington Road, Wokingham, Berkshire
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