Ernest Greaves- 18th Battalion. Essex Regiment.

[Guest karenbaker651]

Good morning,

Please could someone advice as to find any Army information on ...

Ernest Greaves ..His marriage certificate for 1915 says age 24 .soldier.8 Railway Place. Stratford.Essex.

father John Greaves ( Deceased ) occupation Tailor

On his sons birth certificate for 1916 says Ernest Greaves -Private. 18th Battalion. Essex Regiment...Boot maker.

We can't find a birth registered for him , according to the age on marriage certificate he was born cc 1891, but on his death certificate in 1961 it says age 66 which makes his birth 1894. He is nowhere to be found on the 1901 census.

Many Thanks Karen

[GrandsonMichael]

Hi Karen,

There was an 18th Battalion The Essex Regiment, but it wasn’t raised until 1918, so this can’t be the Bn. Pte. Greaves belonged to in 1916. I’m guessing here, but could the birth certificate read 1/8th Battalion?

The 1/8th Bn. was the Cyclist Battalion of the Essex Regiment, a Territorial Unit, formed in 1908. The War Office deemed it necessary for this Battalion to remain in England to take up coastal defence duties in 1904. However, quite a few men joined other overseas Battalions of the Essex Regiment.

Do you know where he was stationed in the war and does the certificate show a service number?

Cheers,

Michael

[Paul Nixon]

A lot of the 8th Essex men seemed to find their way into the 13th (West Ham) Essex Regt. This would also tie-in with your man's domicile.

There is a medal card for a 18292 Private H E Greaves of the 13th Essex (later, acting corporal). Was Ernest his first name? Don't discount the possibility that the name you are looking for might not be the same name he attested under.

If you know the names of his mother and siblings (if any), that would help to pin him down on census returns.

[Paul Nixon]

Henry Ernest Greaves, birth registered September quarter 1895 at West Ham?

[Paul Nixon]

It's late, I like a challenge:

1891 Census

13 Calthorpe Street, St Pancras

John Greaves, head, married, 26, tailor, born London

Eva Greaves, wife, married, 24, born London

George Dorne (or Dome), brother, single, aged 28, tailor, born London

[Guest karenbaker651]

Hi Michael and Paul,

Thank you both for your replies.

This is what we have,,

Marriage cert: March 14, 1915 -

St. John Church, in the Parish of St John,

Stratford in the county of West Ham.

Ernest Greaves, 24, bachelor,

soldier, 8 Railway Place, Stratford.

Father: John Greaves (deceased) tailor

Louisa Annie Constance Wilson, 21, spinster..

64 Oriental Rd. silvertown..

father: George Wilson (deceased), engineer.

---------------------------------------------

Ernest's Sons birth Cert,

10 March, 1916...Registration district of West Ham.

Sub-district of silvertown, county of West Ham C.B.

15 Kempton St.,

Silvertown

Ernest, boy,

father: Ernest Greaves,

Mother: Louisa Annie Constance Greaves, formerly Wilson.

Occupation of father: Private, 18th Battalion, Essex Regiment, boot maker.

==============

death cert. of Ernest Greaves

5 March, 1961

Hospital of St Cross. Rugby

Age: 66

of 32 Cowper Rd.,

Wellingborough, Northants.

Retired general labourer

--------------------------------

I don't have the certs myself, the information is from a relative.

I also saw the the family you mentioned Paul on the 1891, but I can't find them on the 1901.

I will ask them to check the Battalion number again on the birth certificate.

Thank you both again Karen

[Guest karenbaker651]

Have attached section of the birth certificate