Ernest Wynn was born at Selattyn in 1895. He was the youngest of 5 children  born to Mary and Samuel Wynn. His elder siblings were John b 1885, George¹ b1887, Mary² b 1889 and Albert b 1892. The family lived at Morda and later at Underhill Cottage on Racecourse Road, Oswestry. His father was a carpenter by trade who, in 1911, was working as Clerk of Works at Brogyntyn Estate. Ernest attended Morda School and then Pant Glas C of E School when the family moved. He then went onto to Welshpool County School and, after leaving school, took an apprenticeship as a grocer and went to work for his Uncle Arthur, a grocer in Liverpool. He lived with his uncle and family at 52 Hale Road, Walton. At the outbreak of war Ernest enlisted in 1/8 Bn King’s Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Irish) as Private 2238. He went over to France with the battalion in May 1915. The next month he was wounded in the left arm during fighting at Festubert. He returned to duty in September and was posted to 1/1 Shropshire Yeomanry as Private 2700 and went out to Egypt with the battalion in March 1916.

In March 1917 the Shropshires were amalgamated with the Cheshire Yeomanry with the new unit designated as 10 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and his regimental number changed to Private 230469. The battalion left Egypt and transferred to France in May 1918. He had some home leave during August returning for the start of the 100 Day Offensive. Ernest was KIA during Battle of Epehy on 18 September 1918. The Battle was part of a general advance made against the Hindenburg Line on the Somme. The attack commenced at 5.30am on 18 September with the 10 Bn KSLI supporting the 16 Bn Devonshire Rgt. and then passing through them to take their objectives. His officer wrote to his parents – ‘He is a great loss to the company, everybody liked him. He was such a good soldier and always so willing to do anything. He was killed instantaneously by a bullet and I hope it may be some consolation to you to know that he was spared any suffering. The regiment has done great things and I am truly sorry your son is not  here to share the praise he helped to win but we shall not forget those of us who are left behind’. Ernest was buried on the battlefield about 1000yards south of St Emilie. He was later re-interred at Ste Emilie Valley Cemetery at Villers-Faucons. He is also commemorated at Holy Trinity Church, Oswestry and on Selattyn War Memorial.

¹Ernest’s brother George was a professional footballer and Wales international. He also served during the war. For more information about him link  Football and the First World War .

²Ernest’s sister Mary married – Sapper 94160 Thomas A Markey.

Acknowledgements.

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