Ernest Heywood was my great grandfather. He was born on 23 March 1877 in Blackrod near Bolton with his twin brother Arthur to William Heywood and Ann Boardman.
He was baptised in Blackrod on 6 May 1877.
He was still living in Blackrod in 1881, and still with his parents in 1891 at Newton Heath, Manchester. In 1901 he was living with his parents in Blackley, Manchester.
In 1909 he married Ellen Eliza Hindley in West Derby, Liverpool. Together they had eight children including my grandfather George Ernest Heywood.
In 1911 he was living with Ellen and their eldest daughter Hilda as lodgers in Burnley, Lancashire.
In World War I he was Private 129197 in the Labour Corps before being discharged on 28 November 1917, after which he lived at 12 Brooke Terrace, Everton Road, Liverpool.
His occupation on his death certificate was a general labourer.
Ernest died on 30 May 1939 of myocarditis and chronic bronchitis. He was 62 years old.
War Record Details state he was "No longer physically fit for war service."
Army Order 265 paragraph 2b - those who, having served as soldiers and being still of military age, have been discharged under the conditions set forth at (i) and (ii) in (a): (i) after service overseas in the armed Forces of the Crown, on account of disablement or ill- health caused otherwise than by misconduct or (ii) after service at Home, and have been medically examined and finally discharged from liability to further military service under sub-section (5) of section 1 of the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act 1917, as permanently and totally disabled, otherwise than from misconduct. (i) Victory Medal victory medalGiven the information we have available it is likely that Ernest Heywood was entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.
Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.
British War Medal
From the information available to us, it is very possible that Ernest Heywood was entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.
The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Silver War Badge
The Silver War Badge was issued in the United Kingdom to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness during World War I. The badge, sometimes known as the Discharge Badge, Wound Badge or Services Rendered Badge, was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement.
The sterling silver lapel badge was intended to be worn in civilian clothes. It had been the practice of some women to present white feathers to apparently able-bodied young men who were not wearing the King's uniform. The badge was to be worn on the right breast while in civilian dress, it was forbidden to wear on a military uniform.
The badge bears the royal cipher of GRI (for Georgius Rex Imperator; George, King and Emperor) and around the rim "For King and Empire; Services Rendered". Each badge was uniquely numbered on the reverse. The War Office made it known that they would not replace Silver War Badges if they went missing, however if one was handed into a police station then it would be returned to the War Office. If the original recipient could be traced at his or her discharge address then the badge would be returned.
Source: Forces War Records
Ernest Heywood lived on until 1939 with his wife Ellen Eliza Hindley. One of their sons was my grandfather George Ernest Heywood. Ernest is buried in an unmarked grave in Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool.
