PARTRIDGE, Ernest F

Ernest Partridge was one of four brothers serving in the army. They lived with their parents, Mr and Mrs Herbert Partridge, at 19 Mount Street, Stourbridge. He worked at the Star Hotel and volunteered for the Worcesters in October 1914. He was sent to the Dardanelles, probably with the 9th (Service) Battalion in July 1915. He returned to Britain as a casualty and then joined the 3rd Battalion on the Western Front. This battalion was involved in the capture of Vimy Ridge in June 1916 and then moved south for the opening of the battle of the Somme. On the 3rd July they were in the front line for the attack on the Leipzig salient below Thiepval and then in the successful attack on Ovillers on the 9th July. After a break they returned to the front line and on the 25th August captured Lemberg Trench. In very hot weather they then resisted shelling, bombing and counter-attack for two days and managed to hold the valuable territory they had gained. But the cost was high and 2/Lt Wilfred Perks from Stourbridge and 37 men had been killed. Pte Ernest Partridge died a few days later at a Casualty Clearing Station on the 3rd September and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was 22 years of age. His name does not appear on the Stourbridge Memorial but he is commemorated on the St. John's church and school Memorials. His brother, Frederick William, died on the 1st August 1916.