Ernest Frank Young

Story:
Ernest Frank Young was born at Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 10th September 1896 and baptised there on 18th October 1896, the son of James Young and Emma Jane Young (nee Ricketts).  James Young was a farmer at Forest Farm, Motcombe. Ernest's brother George James (b.1893) also served in the war, with the Dorset Yeomanry.  Ernest attended at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, for some of his education. Ernest enlisted on 11th December 1915 but was not embodied until 16th May 1918.  This delay was possibly due to the fact that his father had died in 1910 and he was needed on the farm.  Eventually he was called up to join the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 50565).  He joined the 3rd Battalion and served only in either Ireland and the UK at some time holding the rank of acting Lance Corporal.  He was transferred to the Labour Corps as a Private on 14th October 1918 (Service No. 663120) and was attached to the 609th Agricultural Company.  He was demobilized on 20th February 1919.  There is no medal record although one of his Service Record forms has a rubber stamp 'Medal' but nothing else.   He married Ida Ruth Rose on 22nd June 1920 at the Parish Church in Gillingham, Dorset.  They went on to have three children.  The 1921 Census shows him now living at Lodge Farm, Motcombe, described as a Farmer but by the time of the 1939 Register he has moved to Penridge Farm, Penselwood, Somerset, now described as a Dairy Farmer.  His death was recorded at the Wincanton, Somerset, District Registry on 11 Jun 1969.