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Ernest Wakefield was born on the 18th August 1911 at Heckmondwike, the son of George Henry Wakefield and his wife Rebecca (nee Darlow) who married in Ossett in late 1910. Ernest had a younger brother, Harry who was born in 1914 in the Wakefield area.
He married Hildred Teale at Healey Lane End Methodist Church, Batley on the 28th September 1932. At the time of his marriage he was serving as a Lance-Corporal in the Coldstream Guards at Wellington Barracks, London, SW1. The Wakefields had four children together, all boys: George B., born 1933; John D., born 1934; Ronald A., born 1935 and Edward D., born 1937. At the time of Sergeant Wakefield’s death, his wife and children lived in Lupset, Wakefield.
Ernest Wakefield was a reservist in 1939 and was called up on the outbreak of WW2. Formerly of 217, Thornhill Road, Rastrick, and at that time married with four children, he was killed as a result of the explosion of a land mine on the 12th September 1940 at Saltfleet Sands, North Somercotes, Lincolnshire and was buried at St. John’s Methodist Church, Ossett on the 17th September 1940. His death is recorded on a special memorial stone, located close to the St. Johns’s Methodist Church.
The last address of the Wakefield family was 17, Sunnydale Park, Ossett, and administration of his will was granted to Hildred Wakefield, widow and Leslie Teale, biscuit factor. Effects £500 4s.
Above: The Wakefield grave at St. John’s Methodist Chapel showing the memorial to Ernest Wakefield, the wife of Hildred Wakefield and son of Georhe Henryy Wakefield. Picture courtesy of Lisa Jennings.
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