Ernest's Story.
Ernest Bentley was born in Knutsford in 1888, one of six children born to John (a house painter) and Elizabeth Ann Bentley of 3, Northwich Road, Knutsford. They later moved to 2, Egerton Terrace, Knutsford. The 1911 census states that Ernest worked form home.
He enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment as Private no. 4707 but later was transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment as Private no. 30309.
Ernest was killed in action on the 12th October 1917.
On that fateful day:
The war diary for the above date states:
12.10.17 POLECAPPEL
Zero hour was 5.30 am. Enemy put down a heavy barrage on our front line, also great M.G. fire from POLCAPPEL (sic). Warwicks met with little opposition on the left, but household Battn suffered heavy casualties by flanking M.G. fire from the village. In spite of this they took REQUETE Farm. 18th Divn. Of our right made no progress in the village, and so 12th Bde. had to form a defensive flank. This was done by 1 Coy Kings Own and 1 Coy Rifle Bde.
Counter-attack forced line to retire slightly during the day near REQUETE Farm.
The line as held in the evening was as shown in the attached map C in red.
2 Battns of the 34th Divn. Were sent up at night to relieve front line troops, but owing to darkness, and state of the ground the relief was not to be completed.
Researched and compiled by Tony Davies.