Ernest Trowbridge

Story:
Ernest Trowbridge was born in 1883 in Okeforde Fitzpaine, the son of Samson Trowbridge and Mary Amelia Trowbridge (nee Roberts). Regrettably his mother died in 1891 and his father went on to remarry Jane Mary Thompson (widow of John Thompson) in 1894 taking on her son, John Francis Joiner Thompson (generally known as Frank), as stepson and step-brother to Ernest. At sometime prior to the 1901 Census Ernest had enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery (Service No. 8358). Whilst serving in Ireland he met and married Kathleen (Catherine) Mary McGaharan in Belturbet, Cavan, Ireland, on 26 Feb 1905. There were five children of the marriage: two boys and three girls. At the time of the 1911 Census Ernest being a career soldier was living with his family in army accommodation near Crookham, Hampshire, and later moved to married quarters at the Artillery Barracks, Hartley Whitney. Hampshire. He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War, 1915 Star and Distinguished Conduct (DCM) medals finally holding the rank of Warrant Officer Class II. The citation for the DCM stated 'for conspicuous and consistent good work, notably with anti-aircraft guns'. He died at the 21st Casualty Clearing Station from pneumonia whilst serving with 'A' Battery, 158th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, as their Battery Sergeant Major on 27th November 1918 and was buried at Caudry British Cemetery, Near Cambrai, Nord, France, (grave id. II.D.28). His father had by then moved to Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Ernest is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury, near where his father was eventually interred at St. Rumbold's Church in 1931. By the 1921 Census his wife was living at 45 New Crescent Street, Brighton, Sussex, working for the Convent of the Sacred Heart,Brighton. It is also understood Kathleen had been taking a course in Midwifery as recorded on her military pension records. She did not remarry and died in Brighton General Hospital on 26 June 1970. Ernest's step-brother, Frank. also died in the conflict and his name also appears on the Cann War Memorial.