Ernest’s Story 1884 - 1918
Ernest Hamshar 25th September 1884 - 12th August 1918
photograph c 1907 aged 23
This volume is the story of Ernest Hamshar who was 16 years old in the year 1900. It covers the period from his birth on 25th September 1884 to his marriage on 8th September 1907. His age is given with the date at the top of each entry. The diary entries are not in Ernest’s real voice, as he did not keep a diary. However, her daughter Helen told me a little about his life and the entries are built around these stories and documentary evidence.
(A outline biography of Ernest to his death in 1972 is given at the end of this page.)
Birth of Ernest Hamshar - 25th September 1884
Ernest Hamshar was born on 25th September 1884 in South London. His mother Emma, owned a commercial laundry at 3, Effra Parade, Brixton, (and later at 7, High Street, West Norwood) where she worked alongside her second husband, William Guildford Hamshar. Ernest attended Effra Road School and on leaving school at the age of 13, started work for the family firm as general errand boy, later taking over collection and delivery of the laundry using a horse drawn van.
1890 - Ernest (6)
The school photograph is unidentified but comes from the Hale/Hamshar line and could include Ernest Hamshar - possibly 4th from the right on the top row.
1901 Census - Ernest Hamshar
In 1901 Ernest Hamshar (aged 16) was living with his siblings at 12, Effra Parade, Norwood. No Head of household is given (it would have been William G Hamshar) nor is his wife Emma listed. However they are not far away at the laundry premises - 3 Effra Parade. Perhaps 3a is the flat over the laundry. Ada Hamshar is the daughter from Emma’s first marriage (who would originally have been called Ada Hoare) true sister to William Hoare and half sister to the other Hamshars.
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1901 Census - 3a Effra Parade, Norwood |
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Name and Surname |
Age |
Profession or Occupation |
Employer, Worker |
Where Born |
|
Ada Hamshar (daughter) |
25 |
Laundress |
Working at home |
London Lambeth |
|
Harold Hamshar (son) |
22 |
Soldier |
|
London Lambeth |
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Vincent Hamshar (son) |
19 |
Plumber’s labourer |
|
London Lambeth |
|
Ernest Hamshar (son) |
16 |
Clerk |
Worker |
London Lambeth |
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1901 Census - 12 Effra Parade, Norwood |
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Name and Surname |
Age |
Profession or Occupation |
Employer, Worker |
Where Born |
|
William Hamshar (Head) |
56 |
Laundryman |
Employer - at home |
Sussex, Brighton |
|
Emma (wife) |
53 |
Laundress |
Employer - at home |
Hampshire, Winchester |
June 30th 1902 - Ernest (18)
My brother Guilly went for a soldier today. He enlisted in the Grenadier Guards and his number is 10359. Harold, our oldest brother is a soldier too but he is in the Hussars. Guilly is following in father’s (William Hamshar) footsteps because he was in the Grenadier Guards – Rifle Brigade when he was a young man.
It is ironic that none of these professional soldiers died in the 1914-1918 war - while the two brothers who were conscripts (Ernest and Vincent) both did. Guilford Hamshar was father to Doris.
1906 - Ernest (22)
My brother Vinnie married Beatrice Woolford. No trouble with this one - all done with everyone’s consent.
It was all a bit different from when my sister Lettie and Evan took themselves off to the church and got married without telling anyone in 1899. Mum and Father have never liked Evan because he is Welsh and they wanted Lettie to marry someone from round here. Aneighbour came round to tell Mum to get to the church quick. She pulled on her bonnet and ran all the way up Effra Road but the service was finished when she got there and they were just coming out of the church. It was too late!! She will not speak to Lettie and says she never had a daughter.
This story was told to me by Helen. Family legend had it that Ernest’s mum Emma was a real tyrant who ruled the family with a rod of iron.
1906 - Ernest (22)
This time it has been my turn to feel mum’s wrath. I was up a bit late to get the horses ready for the round and mum blew her top at me and sacked me on the spot. I have worked for her laundry since I left school, first just as a stable lad then doing the collection and delivery rounds, so I was rather at a loss as to what to do. It came at a really bad time too as Bella and I have been talking about getting married. Mum and I had a terrible row and I walked out. Bella’s brother Fred is putting me up at his place until I can get sorted out. I have been looking around for a job and tomorrow I am going along to Higg’s Dairy in Grosvenor Street, Camberwell to see if I can get a job as a milkman. I know all about horses and have been used to an early morning round so that should stand me in good stead.
Reform Club Ernest 7th from the left on the next to back row.
Today my Dearest Bella and I were married at St John the Divine in Kennington. After the ceremony we went back to Mum and Dad’s house for our Reception and the wedding photograph was taken in the garden (7 High Street, West Norwood). We shall be going to live at 54 Cambridge Street, Kennington.
Ernest Hamshar was born on 25th September 1884 in South London. His mother Emma, owned a commercial laundry at 3, Effra Parade, Brixton, (and later at 7, High Street, West Norwood) where she worked alongside her second husband, William Guildford Hamshar. Ernest attended Effra Road School and on leaving school at the age of 13, started work for the family firm as general errand boy, later taking over collection and delivery of the laundry using a horse drawn van.
Noted as something of a tartar, his mother sacked him for lateness and Ernest then became a milkman. On 8th September 1907, at the age of 23, he married Isabel Rose Hale at the Parish Church of St John the Divine, Kennington.
He remained a milkman for some years, certainly until after the birth of his daughter in 1911. However, he was never happy with the work and eventually left to become a storekeeper for the British Motor Cab Company.
In 1915 he enlisted as Private M2/050271 with the Mechanical Transport Depot of the Royal Army Service Corps. He completed his training at Grove Park and then sailed on ‘The Viper’ to Rouen in May 1915. Thereafter, he saw his wife and young family only for short reunions before his death in 1918. These included two periods of home leave and a sickness leave in November 1916 when he spent time in the 4th London General Hospital (later King’s College Hospital) because of carbuncles on the neck.
Ernest died of wounds sustained in a bombing raid on Calais on 12th August 1918, just three months before the end of WWI. The body of Corporal Ernest Hamshar was buried with Full Military Honours, at 1 o-clock in the afternoon of Thursday 15th August at Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte, which is four and a half miles due West of Calais.
Ernest was very skilled with his hands and a willing worker, much valued in the Mechanical Transport Depot. He was a well-liked and respected young man who, with his talent for playing the piano and flute was in much demand at parties. He also played professionally at Music Halls, accompanying his wife’s cousin, Bill Hale, who was an accomplished tenor. When in the army, he continued playing, entertaining his comrades at camp concerts and forming warm friendships.