Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Smith, a general labourer, born 1860 in Newtown Linford, Leicestershire and his wife Louisa Smith (nee Jordan, married in the 2nd quarter of 1895 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), born 20th June 1874 in Sudbrook, Monmouthshire, Wales Ernest William was born on the 13th October 1897 in Enderby, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 29th January 1915 in the parish church, Enderby, his siblings were, Emily Mary Jordan, born 7th July 1893 and baptised on the 13th September 1896 in the parish church, Enderby, Rose Elizabeth, born 16th August 1895 and baptised on the 13th September 1896 in the parish church, Enderby and Elizabeth, born 4th December 1899 and baptised on the 29th January 1915 in the parish church, Enderby, all his siblings were born in Enderby, in March 1901 the family home was in Chapel Street, Enderby. In April 1911 Ernest was residing in the family home at Cox Yard, Cross Street, Enderby, together with his father, a quarry labourer, his mother and siblings, Emily, a stocking knitter, Rose, a stocking knitter, Elizabeth, John Henry (Harry), born 1st January 1902 and baptised on the 29th January 1915 in the parish church, Enderby and Alfred, born 4th May 1904 and baptised on the 29th January 1915 in the parish church, Enderby, the latter two siblings were both born in Enderby. Ernest also had a younger sister, Dorothy E., born 1st February 1917 in Enderby. Ernest was officially recorded at birth as Ernest William Smith, but appears to have used the name William and Willie as his preferred Christian name, and as such appears on the St. John the Baptist Church Memorial as Willie Smith. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. In 1939 Ernest’s mother was residing in the family home at 27, George Street, Enderby together with his sister, Dorothy, a hosiery cutter.
The War Diary records: 7-10 Oct-17 – Inclusive. As per attached narrative by Lieutenant Colonel G. E. C. RASCH, D.S.O.
NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS by Lieutenant Colonel G. e. c. Rasch, D.S.O. Commanding 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards.
Period:- 7th to 10th October. 1917.
Map Reference:- BROENBEEK.
In the 7th October 1917, the Battalion, with the exception of certain details who marched to the Guards Division Reinforcement Camp, HERZEELE, proceeded by train at 9.00am to CHARTERHOUSE CAMP, between the YSER CANAL and ELVERDINGHE.
The accommodation in this camp, (which we shared with the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards) was very moderate, and a steady drizzle which commenced as the Battalion arrived helped to make the men very uncomfortable.
The afternoon was spent in distributing fighting stores to Nos. 1 and 2 Companies, and at 6.00pm the above two Companies, with a strength of 32 all ranks per platoon, marched off to take over their battle positions, then occupied by the 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards. The following Officers took part in the Battalion operations :-
Headquarters.
Commanding, Lieutenant Colonel G. E. C. Rasch, D.S.O.
Acting Second in Command, Captain G. C. F. Harcourt-Vernon, D.S.O.
Acting Adjutant, Lieutenant F. A. M. Browning.
Medical Officer, Captain J. A. Andrews, M.C., R.A.M.C.
No.1 Company.
Lieutenant J. C. Cornforth.
2nd Lieutenant S. H. Pearson.
2nd Lieutenant H. D. Stratford.
No.2 Company.
Captain Sir A. L. Napier, Bart.
Lieutenant Hon. F. H. Manners.
2nd Lieutenant H. B. G. Morgan.
The night was cold and windy and the darkness intense. The relief was a very long and troublesome one, owing to the sodden and shattered state of the ground, but was accomplished without many casualties.
On the following afternoon, Nos. 3 and 4 Companies left CHARTERHOUSE CAMP to take up their positions behind Nos. 2 and 1 Companies respectively. The following officers accompanied Nos. 3 and 4 Companies :-
No.3 Company.
Captain C. N. Newton, M.C.
Lieutenant A. W. Acland.
2nd Lieutenant H. White.
No.4 Company.
Lieutenant G. R. Westmacott.
Lieutenant R. A. W. Bicknell.
Lieutenant J. Tabor.
The day had been fine until about 4.00pm when a steady rain commenced which increased to a soaking downpour and continued until the early morning preceding Zero hour, making the position occupied by the troops, which were at the best only shell holes, miserable in the extreme.
Rum and rations were sent up to the Front Companies on the night before Zero, also hot tea in specially improved containers, consisting of petrol tins in packs, tightly surrounded with dry hay.
The condition of the BROENBEEK, which ran parallel to our Front line, at a distance of 250 yards, was a matter for great anxiety. Patrols during the past week had reported it to be impassable at various places, and it was feared that the recent rain had done much to render it a grave obstacle. Both Companies sent patrols to reconnoitre it during the nights preceding the attack without very reassuring results, although Lieutenant Hon. F. H. manners found one or two points at which he was able to wade across.
Mats and light bridges were carried to the Front Companies by night to be taken forward by the leading waves of the attack, but as subsequent facts proved, it was found possible to dispense with them to a large extent.
The French were to attack on the left of the Guards Division, and the 29th Division on the right. 2nd Guards Brigade was on the left of the Division, 1st Guards Brigade on the right. The Battalion was on the right of the 1st Guards Brigade with the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards on the left and the 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment on the right.
To Nos. 2 and 1 Companies (from left to right) was allotted the capture of the first objective, about 1,000 yards in depth. After a pause of 45 minutes, Nos. 3 and 4 Companies were to pass through these Companies and to capture and consolidate the second objective, 800 yards further on; after another pause, the 1st Battalion Irish Guards were to pass through the Battalion to a third objective.
The line of advance of the Battalion was parallel to and about 300 yards to the north of the STADEN-LANGEMARCK Railway, and the third objective was just at the southern fringe of the HOULTHULST FOREST.
There was no preliminary bombardment, but at ZERO, fixed at 5.20am an intense barrage from 18 pounder guns and Stokes Mortars dropped on and beyond the line of the BROENBEEK. Under cover of this the leading Companies closed up as near as possible.
It was considered of the first importance that the barrage should not be lost by delay in crossing the stream, and some casualties were caused to men who pressed too close to it in the half light, which made its exact line very difficult to determine.
The stream proved to be far more easily crossed than was anticipated. Some crossed by means of fallen trees, others by planks and duckboards formerly used by the Germans, and others waded, though shell holes in the bed of the stream made this method very uncertain.
Fortunately, the Division opposite had only been relieved a few hours previous to the attack. They were taken by surprise and made a poor resistance. Their line was held by a series of posts converted from shell-holes.
The advance continued practically unchecked, and, thanks to able leadership by Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers the Battalion was able to keep its direction, which was oblique to the line of “jumping off” ground.
Minor adjustments were necessary from time to time with the Battalion on the right, who lost direction occasionally and drifted too far towards the Battalion, but the first objective was gained and consolidated without heavy opposition or loss, and, at the proper time, Nos. 3 and 4 Companies passed through to the capture and consolidation of the second objective, which was successfully effected.
Nothing could have exceeded the steadiness of the advance, which was all the more remarkable in view of the miserable conditions prevailing before ZERO.
Very soon after the capture of the objectives, enemy aircraft became very active, flying at very low altitude over the line, and all Companies were subjected to very heavy shelling until relief. This shell fire caused nearly all the casualties, which amounted to :-
Officers.
Lieutenant J. Tabor, wounded.
2nd Lieutenant H. D. Stratford, wounded.
Captain Sir A. L. Napier, Bart., slight wound but remained at duty.
Other Ranks.
Killed, 33.
Wounded, 123.
Missing, 11.
Slightly wounded, who remained at duty, 21.
Total 188 other ranks.
On the night of 9th October, Nos. 1 and 2 Companies were given orders for relief and returned to LARREY CAMP, near ELVERDINGHE, a comfortable camp with Nissen huts.
The Companies came in admirably and found clean clothing, tea, rum and braziers awaiting them.
Nos. 3 and 4 Companies and Battalion Headquarters were relieved by the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards on the following night and rejoined the remainder of the Battalion at LARREY CAMP.
Signed G. Rasch Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards. 13th October 1917.