Private 200641 1st/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
Died 24 February 1917 aged 24
Remembered on Ash War Memorial
Remembered on the Basra Memorial, Iraq
Remembered on the Memorial to the Men of Ash Vale in St Mary’s Church

Ernest Gaines who was born in Farnborough in 1892 and lived at Church Path Farnborough in 1901 and 1911. He was the son of James and Elizabeth, and was a golf caddie in 1911.

Soldiers Died gives Ernest’s place of residence as Ash Vale, and that he was born and enlisted at Farnborough.

His medals card records that he had formerly been number 4/2664. He had first served in the Asiatic theatre of War which he had entered on 26 October 1915, and had been awarded the 1914/15 Star. He was killed in action.

The Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects confirms that Ernest’s mother was called Elizabeth.