Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Ernest Ewins was born in March 1890 in Great Bookham, Surrey to farm labourer Thomas William and Sarah. He was baptised on 27th April 1890 at St Nicolas church in Great Bookham. At the time of the baptism, the family lived at Great Bookham and Thomas was working as a labourer.
Ernest’s father Thomas was born about 1851 in Walton on the Hill, Surrey, and his mother was born about 1859 in Ewell, Surrey. Ernest had three known siblings: William born about 1883; Sarah J. born about 1885, both in Great Bookham and Oliver born about 1899 in Dorking.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Eastwick, Great Bookham. Thomas was working as a farm labourer and Sarah was looking after their children: William, Sarah and Ernest.
On 22nd April 1895, Ernest was admitted into St Martin’s Church of England School in Dorking for infants. On 22nd September 1897, he was admitted into the Dorking British School. The family were living at the Chalk Pits.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Merrylands, Great Bookham. Thomas was working as a shepherd and Sarah was looking after their children: Ernest and Oliver.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 3 Heath Hill, Dorking. Thomas was working on a farm. Of his children: Ernest was working on a farm and Oliver was at school. The accommodation had four rooms.
Ernest Ewins enlisted in Guildford into the 8th Battalion the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a Private with regimental number G/5939. At the time of his enlistment he resided in Dorking. Later he was transferred into the 1st Battalion the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. His regimental number remained G/5939.
Ernest disembarked on 13th October 1915 to France.
Ernest Ewins died on 28th April 1917 in Douai, France as a German Prisoner of War.
Douai Communal Cemetery Roll of Honour © CWGC.org
He was buried at the Douai Communal Cemetery in France in the joint grave H.8.
He received the British War and Victoria medals and the 1915 Star.
Ernest’s father Thomas received £11, 8s and 1d on 19th February 1918 and a further £8 and 10s on 4th October 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Ernest’s brother Oliver of Pound Cottages, Great Bookham requested “Gone From Sight But Not From Memory.” to be inscribed on Ernest’s headstone.
| Born | Great Brookham, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Thomas and Sarah Ewins of Great Bookham, Surrey | |
| Regiment | 1st Battalion, The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | G/5939 | |
| Date of Death | 28th April 1917 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Died of Wounds | |
| Age | 26 | |
| Cemetery | Douai Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord |
