Ernest Henry Howes

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 10/04/2017 - 11:08

First Name:

Ernest

Middle Name:

Henry

Last Name:

Howes

Date of Birth:

Saturday, July 14, 1894

Mother's Name:

Mary Howes nee Lord

Father's Name:

Robert Howes

Date Enlisted:

Wednesday, July 14, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

20th Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

Military Medal

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Tuesday, August 8, 1950

Place of Death:

Wollongong, NSW

Details:

Ernest Howes (Service No 2383) was born in Gunnedah, NSW.

At enlistment Ernest was single, 21 years old, worked as a barber and lived in Wollongong; Ernest had served in the Militia.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A75 Ballarat with 20th Battalion, 5th Rreinforcement on 6th September 1915. He arrived in Egypt in October 1915 but his National Archives papers do not record if he was sent to Gallipoli. The first entry is 9th January 1916 when he was allocated to C Company, 20th Battalion.

Ernest arrived in France on 25th March 1916. He was wounded in action on 15th May 1916 and evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of gun shot wounds to his knee and foot. He returned to his unit on 2nd October 1916.

On 14th October 1916 he was promoted to Corporal.

He was wounded a second time on 2nd May 1917 and evacuated to hospital for treatment of multiple gun shot wounds to his hand and knee. He returned to C Company on 4th August 1918.

Ernest was promoted to Sergeant on 24th August 1917.

On 14th December 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal for his actions in September 1917. The recommendation for his Military Medal reads: 'At HANEBEKE WOOD on 20/9/17 during advance on Battalion objective, a strong point was holding up the advance. This N.C.O. called on those men near to follow him and rushed the strong point. He very gallantly led the charge, killing one of the enemy as he did so and succeeding in capturing the strong point and garrison. His example of courage and leadership inspired all who saw him.' Commonwealth Gazette No 31 dated 7th March 1918.

Ernest was returned to Australia in April 1919 and discharged from the AIF on 2nd July 1919.

Soon after discharge he married May Wilton on 16th August 1919 and they had 3 children.

He enlisted for service in World War II at Port Kembla, NSW, on 30th January 1941 and served with the rank of Lieutenant under Service No N104114 with 13th Garrison Battalion until discharge on 11th March 1944 in Wollongong.

Ernest was a well known barber in Wollongong until he died in 1950. He is buried in Woronora Cemetery.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, HOWES E H 2383