Ernest Frank Roberts

Story:
Ernest Frank Roberts was born in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, on 26 May 1892 the son of Frank Roberts and Mary Eliza Roberts (nee Wareham).  He lived his early life in Iwerne Minster until by 1914 he had emigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he married Cecelia Bryant in York City, Toronto, on 30 Jul 1914.   He had enlisted on the 29 Jan 1916 with the 16th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force as a Private (Service No. 679169).  He arrived in France on 13 Dec 1916 and was transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Canadian Pioneers as a Sapper. During his service he had many health problems and he was eventually repatriated back to Canada on the SS Aquitaine on 28 Nov 1918 suffering from shell shock. He was discharged as being medically unfit on 21 Dec 1918.  He had qualified for the Victory and British War Medals.  His wife died in 1943 and there is evidence that he returned to the UK and lived in Hawkhurst, Kent, and possibly re-married.  His death was recorded in the General Hospital, New Cross, London, on 12 Feb 1962 (evidenced by the Canadian Army Pension Records).  His brother, Frederick James Roberts, also served but regrettably died during the conflict.