Ernest Edwin Gatehouse

Story:
Ernest Edwin Gatehouse was born on 12 Mar 1878 in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, the son of William Henry Gatehouse and Clara Madonna Gatehouse (nee Gray).  Apart from his military service, he spent all his life in the Donhead St. Mary area.  He married Edith Helen Case in Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, on 6 May 1903 and by 1911 was employed as a Domestic Coachman.  He had enlisted in the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman (Service No. P.Z/1404).  His rank on discharge was Able Seaman and he was awarded the British War Medal only.  The Service Records are no longer available but from indications given he left the service sometime in 1917.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Park Gates, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, working as a Stockman and Handyman.  His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1957.  His father and seven of his brothers all served in the conflict for which details can be found in the link below.