WW1 Casualty: Private 9312 Ernest Finney - Private 9312 Ernest Finney
| Unit/Regiment |
1st Bn., King's (Liverpool Regiment) |
| Date of Death |
16/05/1915 |
Age at Death |
29 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
Chocques Military Cemetery
I C 4 |
| CWGC Family Details (if shown) |
CWGC record Ernest's next of kin was Mrs Finney, of 31, Eccleston Street, Prescot |
| Census Details |
1901 Census -
The Finney family lived at 60, Warrington Road. Thomas Finney, a 48 year old Filemaker and his wife Elizabeth (45) were joined by their children William (20), a Filemaker, James (18), a Carter for a Corn dealer, Thomas E. (15), a Watch Engraver, Lily (12), Albert (10) and Martha (5) |
| Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations |
Thomas Ernest Finney, Birth Registered Q3/1885, Prescot, 8b, 713.
Marriage as Ernest T Finney to Emelda J Carrier, Q1/1914, 8b, 990
Son Laurence born Prescot, Q3/1914 |
| SDGW - Where Born |
Prescot, Lancs |
| Enlisted |
Liverpool |
| Resided |
Prescot |
| Research Ref. No. |
P105 |
Service DetailsErnest was born on 18th September 1885 in Prescot and was baptised as Thomas Ernest Finney. He was the brother of Albert Holt Finney
Ernest was a reservist who had enlisted in July 1905 and had already served in India for 8 years. He was called up when the 1st Battalion mobilised on 5th August 1914, and sailed to Le Havre on board the S.S. Irrawaddy on 12th August.
Following the failure of the attack on Aubers Ridge on 9th May 1915, the High Command decided to continue the pressure on the German forces by another attack on the night of the 12th. This was delayed due to dull wintry weather, which interfered with artillery observation, and so the attack was scheduled for the night of the 15th May. This became known as the Battle of Festubert.
After darkness had fallen on the night of the 15th, around 6.15 p.m. the artillery began the final stage of their bombardment. The 1st battalion moved up later and by 10.30 were located in "C" and "D" lines. German artillery fire was quite active with heavy shells falling amongst "A" and "B" companies and by 11 p.m. several men had already been wounded.
Around 11 p.m. the men moved out into "No Mans Land" in small parties. Eventually, the first, second and third lines lay out in front of the trenches waiting for the signal to attack - and still unnoticed by the Germans.
The attack began at 11.30 p.m. The companies attempted to cross the remainder of No Mans Land by platoon but the first attempt was cut down by German machine gun fire, and the second went out before any other orders could be issued. These men were also wiped out.
Another assault was ordered for 8 a.m. and two platoons of the battalion led the attack but the enemy rifle and machine-gun fire almost wiped them out. During the day, some of the men who had been wounded managed to make their way back and others came in after darkness had fallen.
Private Finney is reported wounded and died the same day, 16th May, in No 1 Casualty Clearing Station, located at Chocques, north-west of Bethune. He was buried in Chocques Military Cemetery.
A list of Prescot men reported killed which appeared in the Liverpool Daily Post on 31st May 1915
The above picture, provided by Kathy Donaldson, shows Private Finney before the war. It appeared in the Liverpool Weekly Courier in May 1915
Prescot Reporter 14th September 1917
Ernest Finney's Medal Index Card. It shows only his entitlement to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. A second card, shown below, shows his entitlement to the 1914-1914-1915 Star. The entitlements have been split because the second card has him incorrectly recorded as 'B. Finney'.
This second card also confirms his arrival in France on 12th August 1914, 8 days after the declaration of war.
Ernest Finney's grave at Chocques Military Cemetery
The Register of Soldiers Effects listed Ernest's widow, Emelda, as next of kin
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