L/Cpl 49038 Ernest Yardley

• Age: 31
• From: Salford
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 16th October 1917
• Commemorated at: Kemmel Chateau Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: M.15

Ernest Yardley was born 1887 at Salford, the son of William and Louisa Yardley (nee Lowe) who married in 1882 at St Simon's Church, Salford.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 6, Cross Road, Eccles, Barton upon Irwell, Lancashire.His father,William, is aged 49, born 1852 in Salford and is employed as an iron turner,  whilst his mother, Louisa, is aged 49, born 1854 has no occupation listed. At the time of Census, they have six children living at the address, William aged 17 is a stone mason, Louisa aged 15, Ernest aged 14, Elizabeth aged 12, Herbert aged 11 and Arthur aged 9.

His father, William, died in 1907.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 6 Cross Road, Patricroft, Manchester. His mother, Louisa, is a widow aged 57, born 1854 (1901 Census has year of birth as 1852) has no occupation and was born in Salford as were her children. At the time of Census she had five children living at the address; Louisa aged 25, born 1886 and Elizabeth aged 22, born 1889 are both cotton spinners, Ernest aged 24, born 1887 and Arthur aged 18, born 1893 are both assistants in card room and Herbert aged 20, born 1891 is a plainer. They all were all employed in a cotton mill.

His mother Louisa died in 1913.

Ernest enlisted in Salford and was originally 15023, Lancashire Fusiliers. Following a transfer he was serving in the 17th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Lance Corporal No 49038.

Ernest was killed in action on the 16th October, 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres.

He now rests at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Kemmel Chateau was north-east of Kemmel village and the cemetery was established on the north side of the chateau grounds in December 1914. It continued to be used by divisions fighting on the southern sectors of the Belgian front until March 1918, when after fierce fighting involving both Commonwealth and French forces, the village and cemetery fell into German hands in late April. The cemetery was retaken later in the year, but in the interval it was badly shelled and the old chateau destroyed. There are now 1,135 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery and 21 from the Second World War (which all date from the Allied withdrawal ahead of the German advance of May 1940). The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

He was reported killed in Liverpool Daily Post on 20th November 1917 as Act/LCpl E. Yardley 49308 (Patricroft).

A local newspaper in late 1918 gave the following report:

MONTON COTTON OPERATIVE

Lance Corporal Yardley, whose home was with his married sister Mrs Higginbotham, 11 Wycliffe St, Patricroft, was killed in action in October. Deceased who was 31 years of age and unmarried, was previous to enlisting employed at the Monton Spinning Mill. He had been at the Western Front in the King's Liverpool Regiment for over a year without sustaining any injury, and was then instantaneously killed by a piece of exploded shell. The Church of England Chaplain writing to Mrs Higginbotham states:- "He regrets he is unable to supply any detail of Yardley's end, except that he conducted the service at his internment on Friday October the 19th"

[Mrs Higginbotham was sister Elizabeth, who married in 1912]

Soldiers effects to his brothers William, Herbert, Arthur and sisters Elizabeth, Louisa.

CWGC lists his next of kin as his brother, William who lived at 11 Wycliffe Street, Patricroft.

We currently have no further information on Ernest Yardley, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact