8699: Ernest Fallen

Ernest was Michael's grandfather. He was a miner by trade, and worked on the tunnelling projects on the Somme throughout his time in the war. Ernest was born in 12th June 1885 in Sheffield, Yorkshire to Edward & Catherine Fallen and in 1911 he was a Coal Miner living in Sheffield. Ernest was in the 257 Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers, regimental number 158261 as an Acting Sergeant. He was awarded the Military Medal (for non-officers) He volunteered in 1914 and was initially at the Somme Barracks, Sheffield before going to the Somme. During 1915 when he was home on leave, a family photograph was taken and Michael brought this in. Michael's mother was about 1 years old at the time and his grandmother is on the right-hand side and his grandfather Ernest is in the background. After the war he was a Builders General Labourer, and was living in Sheffield in 1939. Ernest died in 1968 still living in Sheffield.