Keep the Home Fires Burning - detailing wartime life in the towns and villages mentioned.

NBT 1917 Oct. 30th Tue.

Mr. & Mrs. Hobbs, of 39, Cross End, have received news that their grandson, Lance Corporal Ernest Lillington, aged 21, was killed in action in France on October 7th, 1917. He was serving with the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, and Second Lieutenant D. Wright writes;

“The deceased soldier was killed instantaneously by a shell whilst sitting in the trench., and was buried the same night by his comrades. He was one of my best N.C.O.s, and greatly respected by his officers and comrades. He was always cheerful, and fulfilled his duties as a soldier. We all send you our deepest sympathy in your loss.”

Lance Corporal Lillington’s mother had died when he was a baby, and he had always called his grandparents mother and father. He had been previously wounded in action, and after several months of treatment in various English hospitals had only returned to France last March for active service. He had been born at, and was a resident of, Parkstone, Dorset.

NBT 1917 Nov. 6th Tue.

Mr. and Mrs. T. Dancer, of Rammamere Farm, Great Brickhill, have been informed by the War Office that their son, Captain Alfred Dancer, M.C., of the Dorset Regiment, was killed leading his men in the great advance on Thursday, October 4th. The Officer Commanding his regiment writes;

“Captain Dancer was a born soldier, and the Military Cross he won at Mouquet Farm last year was but an indication of the bravery he showed during those three trying days. He did not know what fear meant.”

Another officer writes;

“He was a great leader of men, a jolly good fellow, a very hard worker, and was absolutely fearless of danger. We, his officers, non commissioned officers, and men miss him very keenly, and they all join me in offering sympathy and condolence.”

Aged 24, Captain Dancer had been educated at Heath National School and later at the Emmanuel School, Wandsworth Common, where he passed through the O.T.C. When war broke out he was teaching under the London Education Committee, but immediately enlisted as a trooper in the Surrey Yeomanry (Queen Mary’s). Following active service at Gallipoli he was gazetted to the Dorset Regiment, and accompanied them to Egypt. He was then transferred to the Western Front at the start of the great offensive in July 1916, and in subsequent service would be awarded the Military Cross. He was a keen rugby and lawn tennis player, and had married in October 1916.