Ernest Cone

A Private with 9th Battalion, Ernest died on 26th of April 1918 at the age of 19. 

Ernest was born at Hull in 1899, a son of Thomas and Martha Cone. Both of his parents came from Lowestoft. In 1901 his family lived at 1 Ellis Terrace, Wassand Street, Hull. By 1911 they were living at 12 Saint Andrew’s Terrace, Gillett Street, Hull. By 1921 Ernest’s father had died and his mother lived at 3 Till Road, Lowestoft. 

Ernest enlisted in the Army at Hull. He joined a Training Reserve Battalion, service number 27690. He was transferred to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, service number 39318, and posted to serve with the 9th Battalion in France.  

On 26 April 1918 the 9th Battalion were at Cheapside, ne mile north-east of Beaver Camp. At 1 a.m. the order was received that at 4.25 a.m. they would attack the Vierstraart Line. The battalion would be at the brigade front taking a line from Siege Farm to the north-east of Rossingnol Wood. The battalion ‘jumped off’ at 4.25 a.m. to following a creeping barrage with their key objective 250 yards beyond the Vierstraat-La Polka trench line. However, the expected barrage did not materialise, rather there were shells from a few 18 pounder guns fired at one minute intervals, Despite this the battalion advanced in good order. Nearby units had not moved off, leaving both flanks in the air which meant that the battalions flank companies suffered greatly due to enemy machine-gun fire. Defensive flanks were formed and the centre company had advanced around 1,200 yards, despite very heavy casualties. By 6.30 a.m. the centre company had to withdraw to a point around 400 yards in from of the start line. At 7 a.m. the commanding officer decided that further withdrawal was required. At 12 midday the German artillery began a very heavy barrage that lasted until 3 p.m. By the end of the day the battalion numbered about 100 rifles. 

Ernest was reported missing on 26 April and later it was concluded that he had been killed in action on that date.