ERNEST PRINCE 

C.W.G.C. remember an Ernest Prince, Lance Corporal, with the 10th Bn. Cheshire Regiment, service No 14721 at the Thiepval Memorial, France (Pier and Face 3C and 4A.) Died on the 14th July 1916 aged 23. Son of Mrs B. Prince of 83 Huxley St. Castle Park, Northwich.

Cheshirebmd records the birth of an Ernest Prince in 1893 in Northwich which is right for his age of 23 when he died in 1916. The 1911 census records the Prince family living as 83 Huxley Street, Castle, with Richard Prince head of the family, aged 53 and a Tanner, born Sutton; Sarah Jane, wife aged 49 born Leftwich; Thomas aged 24, Engineers Pattern Maker; Ernest aged 17, shop assistant; Florie aged 15, general domestic; Marion aged 14; Leonard aged 11 and Harry aged 5 both at school. Harry who was born in Hartford, the rest of the family was born in Leftwich.

N.A.M.C. have a medal card for Ernest Prince, Pte., with the Cheshire Regiment, No 14721. Awarded the 15 Star, Victory and British Medals. Theatre of War (1) France, Date of Entry 26/4/15. Ernest’s death is recorded on the medal card K.i.A. 14/7/16.

Northwich Guardian 18th August 1916 LANCE CORPORAL E. PRINCE.

The Castle District of Northwich has had its list of heroes added to by the death inaction of Lance Corporal Ernest Prince, of the Cheshire Regiment. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs Richard Prince, of 83 Huxley Street and he joined the Army at the age of 20 a month after the outbreak f war. He will be remembered by many people as an assistant at Maypole Dairy Co’s establishment, although at the time of enlistment he was employed at Plumbley Works His parents last heard from him six weeks ago, and he then wrote in his usual cherry strain.

Shot By a Sniper.

The officer commanding the company in which the deceased soldier served, writing to Mrs Prince states:- “I deeply regret to have to inform you that Lance-Corporal Prince was killed during the second week in July. We had just taken a trench from the Germans and the communication trench back to our own line was not very good; it had not been deepened. In moving along this communications trench your son was shot by a German sniper. I had the highest opinion of your son, as he was one of the best scouts in the battalion. He died doing his duty nobly and I can only say that in these implicit trust in God is the only thing that brings consolation to those who have lost a relative.

Recommended for Promotion.

Major Trestrail, writing to Mr. J. Arthur Cowley, the hon. secretary of the local fund says:- “Lance Corporal Prince was sniped at the entrance to a tench we had just taken of the Boche. He was engaged, if I remember right, as a battalion scout but was with my company that day. He was doing splendid work and has like thousands of others, given his life for his country. I had recommended him for promotion and if he had been alive now he would have been one of my most trusted sergeants. If I can help you about any of the Northwich boys let me know and I will do my best for you all. We have got the Boche beat but there is a lot of stiff fighting in front of us: but beaten he is. I will endeavour to run up to Northwich and give the people a little lecture of the war when I get my leave. I always feel a very sweet corner in my heart for Northwich for the lads she has given to her country and for the splendid way they have carried out the trust placed in them. Will you please convey to Lance-Corporal Prince’s parents the deep respect and confidence I had in their son and tell them to bear the blow with a brave heart.”

Never Shirked His Work.

On Wednesday, Miss Prince, the deceased’s sister, received the following letter from Private E. Pickering. “As letters &c keep coming for your brother Lance-Corporal E. Prince, the Cheshires, I think that a letter which I wrote a few weeks ago must have gone astray. I am sorry to say that Ernie was killed on or about July 12th during an attack. He was hit in the head by a bullet and he suffered no pain. I don’t know whether his personal effects have been recovered or not. If they have your mother will receive them soon. He was buried by a party of the Royal Engineers the same night that be fell and he lies in the British lines. I knew Ernie quite well, as we were great friends from first few weeks at Codford and we often had a chat about home and our sisters. For a long time he was one of our scouts, an he never shirked his work, although it was of a risky kind. He was highly esteemed by all the company and such men as he cannot be replaced. I know it will be hard for you. I have lost my brother and a lot of grand pals in this war, so I can feel for anyone who has lost a loved one.”

Research Bob Heaton