ROGERS, Ernest William

Ernest Rogers was the son of George and Martha Rogers of Penfield Farm, Birmingham Street, Stourbridge, but actually in Amblecote. He was an iron-worker by trade and enlisted in August 1916. He joined the South Staffordshire Regiment in August 1916 and went to the Western Front in December 1917. He was transferred in March to the 2nd Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry when the second German Spring offensive of 1918 was launched at Messines. During the Advance to Victory they moved to Arras and up to the enemy line at Holnon Wood in August and as the Advance progressed they came into the front line in September for the decisive attack on the Hindenburg Line at St. Quentin in late September. On the 19-20th they attacked a strong enemy position overlooking the St Quentin Canal and took casualties. Among them was Private Ernest Rogers who was 20 years of age and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois and Amblecote Memorials. Memorial notice ‘for ever in the thoughts of his fiancée Alice.’ September 1919 But now he is sleeping his last sleep His grave I may never see But some gentle hand in a distant land May scatter some flowers for me