Ernest was born at St John’s in Worcester, he had joined the 17th Lancers in Birmingham in 1907 and, on being transferred to the Reserve, was employed at the Moseley Road Depot of the Birmingham Corporation Tramways Department.

At the outbreak of the war, he was posted to the 2nd Life Guards at Ludgershall before they embarked for the front. Lance-Corporal Blackwell was killed on 31 October 1914 at Verbrandenmolen and is commemorated on Panel 5 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Ernest, wrote a cheerful letter to friends in Birmingham and was able to post it in Ypres in October 1914:

“We have had some good times, rough times, and lots of excitement, but don’t worry, I know how to look after myself, and the men I am in charge of are all experienced men. Our troop officer is great; he can speak the language and fears nothing. All of us would follow him anywhere and come out O.K.

Our troops are inspiring confidence here. No matter what has happened in some of the towns we have passed through, first sight of a khaki uniform has made the inhabitants quite happy again.

The Germans won’t face us if they can get out of it. We have been chasing them all over the show. Only fifteen of our troop surprised fifty or more Uhlans on Tuesday, and they galloped away. We could not chase them at the time as we were dismounted and drinking coffee in a small village when they galloped up the street. Stokes and me were the first to get a shot in, but we were surprised to see them gallop away.

One of our corporals yesterday dismounted to attend to a wounded German, and the brute turned over and shot him dead, so that has taught us another lesson.

All the prisoners we have captured are fed up with the war. A lot of us think it will be practically over by Christmas. Of course, we don’t get much news about the Navy.

My word! I am enjoying myself. We have the lot retreating where we are. Let them all know that I am O.K. and buck up. Don’t forget that “feed” when I come home, and if you have a chance of helping a Belgian who is hard up, do it. They have been wonderfully good to us, among other things, (and) have kept us going with cigarettes.”

On the 30th/31st of October 1914 whilst defending Ypres from German attacks the 7th Cavalry Brigade part of the 3rd Cavalry Division comprising the 3 Household Cavalry regiments Royal Horse Guards, 1st and 2nd Lifeguards were heavily shelled.

Sources:

www.ancestry.co.uk

17th Lancers Regimental Magazine ‘The White Lancer’

2nd Life Guards War Diary

Andrew Thornton’s Face Book page The Old Contemptibles - Men of the British expeditionary Force 1914