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Rank : Captain

Unit : 5th, 1/5th Bn

Biography :

Ernest Wynne was educated at Uppingham School (where he was a member of the Cricket, Fives, Rugby Football and Hockey teams, and captain of the first two), and at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, which he entered in 1913. He made seven appearances for Leicester FC's 1st XV in 1914, and scored one try; he also played for Rosslyn Park RFC. He played cricket for Leicester Ivanhoe and made one appearance for Leicestershire 2nd XI in 1914.
He enlisted as a Private in 11th Bn The Royal Fusiliers (Public School Battalion) in August 1914 and two days later was commissioned into 5th Bn The Leicestershire Regiment on 22.8.1914. He served with the 1/5th Bn, entering France on 18.7.1915. He was promoted Lieutenant in October 1915, and was also gassed that year. He was promoted captain on 1.6.1916. As OC B Company he was Killed in Action in an attack at Riaumont Hill (near Lens) on 8.6.1917, age 21. A brother officer wrote, "I defy any one to find one more fitted than Ernest to be the original of Donald Hawkey's 'Beloved Hope'." He is buried at Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, British Extension, France. There is a memorial to him in St Laurence Church, Guestling, Hastings (where his father was the Rector), and his name is on the WW1 memorial at Uppingham School.

Date of Birth : May 1895

Place of Birth : Rugby, Warks

Date of Death : 8.6.1917

Place of Death : Riaumont Hill (near Lens), France

Period of Service : 1914-17

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : France and Flanders