Description
1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medal Trio, 7176 Private Ernest George Land, 3rd Bn Royal Fusiliers City of London Regiment), Killed in Action on 4th April 1915 in the Trenches at Ypres.
1914-15 Star officially impressed: “7176 Pte A. Laud. R. Fus”
WW1 Pair officially impressed: “GS-7176 Pte E. G. Land. R. Fus.”
Ernest was killed in action in France on 4th April 1915, at Ypres, at the time in the lead up to the Second Battle of Ypres, fought at the end of April, the regiment was stationed in the trenches near St Eloi.
On the 3rd April they had moved to “the trenches immediately North of the Ypres-Comines Canal”.
By the time they were relieved by the Dorset Regt on 5th April they recorded “Casualties during tour, other ranks killed 1, 4 wounded.” It looks like Ernest was the unlucky single KIA during this period.
His body does not appear to have been recovered, his is now commemorated on Panel 6 and 8 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
A little unusual as he has a medal index card only for his 1914-15 Star as “A. Laud” and another for only his pair as “E.G. Land”, possibly some sort of alias.
Also comes with a photograph of his local war memorial with his name, one of 17 names.
Ernest George Land came from Essex, being born by the sea in Dovercourt, and was living in Dedham, Colchester, when he enlisted at Warley.
Ernest had only recently landed in France for war service on 24th February 1915.
His pension was paid out to his Mother Emma.
Ernest was born during 1894 in Dovercourt, Essex, the son of Wallace and Emma Land. His father as a Blacksmith and his mother a Lace Maker.
In 1911, Ernest was living at home in Dedham, Essex, as a 17 year old Grocer’s Assistant.
