Ernest John Biddiscombe

Story:
Ernest John Biddiscombe was born on 3rd August 1879 in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, the son of Henry Biddiscombe and Emma Foot Biddiscombe (née Smart).  Apart from his war service Ernest spent his whole life in and around Ludwell.   He married Rose Park in Sherborne, Dorset, on 20th June 1906 and they went on to have four children.  Ernest's brother Arthur James (b.1877) joined the Welsh Regiment and died in Flanders on 6th November 1914. Ernest enlisted on 7th December 1915 and was issued with a Reservist's Khaki Armband No. 57825 to wear until mobilized on 17th August 1916 when he joined the Royal Engineers (Service No. 185119) becoming in time a Corporal.  On 1st January 1917 he was transferred to the 445th (Welsh) Company, Railway Operating Division, and was posted to France on 23rd March 1917 (New Service No. 448719).  He then transferred again to the R.E. (ROD) with a new Service No. WR/282836 on 9th September 1917.  He was discharged on 13th March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals.  His address throughout was consistently shown as Hope Cottage, Salisbury Road, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, confirmed in the 1921 Census as well as the 1939 Register and always described as a Builder.  He death was registered at the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry on 16th May 1959.