Ernest Edward Rowles was born 1890 at ‘Fair View’, New Road, Ditton, Kent the youngest son of John and Sarah Ann Harriet Rowles (née Bell), an ‘Engine Smith’s Stoker’.
He is listed in the 1911 census age 21 and his occupation is ‘Fitter’s Labourer’. He is living with his parents at The Club House, Ditton, Maidstone where his father is the ‘Steward’ at a working men's club.
He enlisted on 7th September 1914 and was posted to India on 29th October 1914.
His address was given as The Club House, Ditton, Maidstone.
He was awarded a ‘Good Conduct Badge’ on 7th September 1916. His conduct sheet tells that he received 5 days ‘confined to barracks’ for drinking water without permission and another 4 days for failing to comply with an order. He contracted malaria whilst in India. On 16th May 1917 he was ordered to have a set of dentures fitted as his teeth had decayed such that if not replaced he would be considered unfit for service.
His ‘Medal Index Card’ also tells us that he was awarded the India General Service Medal, with the clasp ‘Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919’. This bar was awarded for service in the Third Afghan War, under General Sir A. A. Barratt. (6th May - 8th August 1919).
He was finally discharged on 26th December 1919 and awarded a ‘Silver War Badge’. The reason given was ‘Through Wounds’.
Ernest Edward married Frances Elizabeth Simmons in 1921 at Battle, Sussex. They had no children.
Frances Elizabeth died on 7th November 1980 at Blair House, 24 Pevensey Road,
St. Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, age 93.
He died in 1931 at Malling, Kent, age 39.
BUT WHERE IS HE BURIED. CAN YOU HELP?
