Tanks attack on Thiepval. Ernest Brookes. National Library of Scotland (CC BY 4.0)
Private James Alfred Ernest Trace
'D' Company, Tank Corps
Killed in Action
Date of Birth: 1896
Place of Birth: Teignmouth, Devon
Date of Death: 20 November 1917 aged 21
Buried: Flesquires Hill British Cemetery
Awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal
Private Ernest Trace age 21.
Born in Teignmouth, Devon 1896, his full name was James Alfred Ernest Trace, the son of Thomas John, a warehouseman born in Teignmouth, and Ellen, born Northampton.
In 1901 the family are living in Willow Street, all the children were born in Teignmouth.
By 1911 Ellen is living on her own, with several of the children including Ernest, their address was in Kettering, Northamptonshire. His father was living in lodgings nearby.
Ernest enrolled with the Northamptonshire Regiment, service number 13814 and landed in France on 24 June 1915.
Tank Corps Cap Badge
He later transferred to the Tank Corps, service number 75888.
He was serving with 'D' Company who were attacking Flesquires village in the Battle of Cambrai when he was killed in action on 20 November 1917.
Reburied from Flesquires German Cemetery in 1919 to Flesquires Hill British Cemetery.
