Main CPGW Record
Surname: WALLING
Forename(s): Ernest
Place of Birth: Ingleton, Yorkshire
Service No: ---
Rank: Captain (A/Major)
Regiment / Corps / Service: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 1/7th Battalion. (Leeds Rifles)
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 32
Date of Death: 1918-04-25
Awards: M.C., M.I.D. (2), Croix de Guerre (France)
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 42 to 47.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: GIGGLESWICK SCHOOL, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: INGLETON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Ernest Walling was the son of George and Margaret Ann Walling, née Hale. George was born at Halton and Margaret at Preston, Lancashire. Ernest was baptized at St Mary's, Preston, on the 24 January 1886.
1891 Ingleton, Yorkshire Census: The Bottom - Ernest Walling, aged 5 years, born Ingleton, son of George and Margaret A. Walling.
1901 Ingleton, Yorkshire Census: Ernest Walling, aged 15 years, born Ingleton, son of George and Margaret A. Walling.
1911 Ingleton, Yorkshire Census: Ferncliffe - Ernest Walling aged 25 years, born Ingleton, son of George and Margaret Ann Walling.
Ernest is commemorated on the Leeds Grammar School War Memorial.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: A/Major Ernest Walling, M.C., 1/7th West Yorkshire Regiment. Theatre of War: 1 - France. Qualifying date [for 1914-15 Star]: 30 June 1915. Correspondence: (Father) G. Walling Esq. Ferncliffe, Ingleton, Carnforth.
A short biography of Ernest is included in: ‘The Ingleton War Memorial, 1914-18, 1939-45’ by Andrew Brooks (2005).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
WALLING, Captain Ernest, aged 32, West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Walling, Ferncliffe, [Ingleton], killed in action April 25, 1918.
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Captain (A/Major) Ernest WALLING
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Tyne Cot Memorial
Courtesy of Allan Hartley, High Bentham
Tyne Cot Memorial - detail
Courtesy of Allan Hartley, High Bentham
Ingleton Cemetery
Family gravestone
Ingleton Cemetery
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
29 October 1915
INGLETON – War items
Lieutenant E. Walling arrived home on furlough on Monday evening. He returns to the Front on Friday evening.
19 May 1916
INGLETON – Home on Furlough
Amongst those who have been home on furlough this week from the front are Pte. Jack Tomlinson, grandson of Mrs. Tomlinson, Thacking Cottages; Pte. Vincent Slinger, son of Mr. John, Slinger, Albion House; and Pte. John Wadeson, son of Sergeant J. H. Wadeson, High Street. Sergeant Wadeson has also been home for the weekend from Clipston Camp.
Amongst those home on leave from the Front is Pte. Richard Preston, son of Mr. John Preston, fruiterer and fishmonger. Pte. Frank Dixon, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. Dixon, who joined the King’s Own, has been wounded in the face with shrapnel and also in the leg. Sergeant Joseph Barker (Leeds Pals), son of the late Mr. James Barker, has been wounded in the foot. He also had a miraculous escape, being struck in the back with a bomb, which fortunately did not explode. Lieutenant Joseph Barritt, Dale Bank, is in a base hospital suffering from shell shock. Lieutenant Ernest Walling (Leeds Rifles), eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Walling, Ferncliffe, has been promoted to the rank of temporary captain.
16 June 1916
INGLETON – War Items
Captain E. Walling and Private T. Bonnick have been spending a few days at home on leave from the front, and amongst those who have been allowed a few days from various training camps are Cadet G. Walling, Sergt. W.J. Routledge, Private A. Jowitt, Private J. Waring, Private W. Robinson, Private Fred Dixon and Private J. Sutton. Privates Frank Dixon and J. Metcalfe, who were wounded a short time ago, are now in England and are reported to be progressing favourably.
12 January 1917
INGLETON – MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES
Amongst those mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s recent despatches, whose distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty he considers deserving of special mention, is the name of Captain E. Walling, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Walling, Ferncliffe, Ingleton.
Ingletonians who have previously won distinction and special mention are:– Captain G. Mackenzie (Military Cross) elder son of Dr. Mackenzie J.P., Ingleton; Lieutenant J. Barritt (mentioned in despatches), youngest son of Mrs. Barritt, Dale Bank, Ingleton; and Corporal T. Heaps (Military Medal), second son of Mr. R. Heaps, Model Village, Ingleton.
25 May 1917
INGLETON – Mentioned in despatches
Amongst those mentioned in Sir D. Haig’s recent despatches for meritorious services in connection with the war is the name of Captain (Acting Major) E. Walling, West Yorkshire Regiment. This is the second time he has been mentioned in despatches.
11 January 1918
INGLETON SOLDIERS
Captain E. Walling, of Ferncliffe, Ingleton, who has previously been mentioned twice in despatches, is amongst those to whom the Military Cross has recently been awarded…
Other soldiers on leave are Sergeant Tom Heaps, second son of Mr. Robert Heaps, Model Village, who was awarded the Military Medal some time ago…
25 January 1918
DISTINCTION FOR INGLETON SOLDIER
Corporal John Waring, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Waring, Rock Cottage, has been awarded the D.C.M. for gallant conduct in the field, and his C.O. has granted him an extra leave to mark the occasion. It is only two or three weeks since be returned to the Front. His bravery and daring are spoken of in high terms by his comrades.
Previous distinction, awarded to Ingleton soldiers are:– Military Cross: Major G. Mackenzie, Captain E. Walling. Military Medal: Sergeant T. Heaps, Sergeant R. Hodgson
Private S. Slinger, who belongs to a family that has contributed several soldiers to the Army, is home on leave enjoying a well-earned rest.
10 May 1918
WALLING – On the 25th April, Captain E. Walling, M.C., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Walling, Ferncliffe, Ingleton, aged 32 years.
10 May 1918
Captain Ernest Walling, M.C., Ingleton
A profound sensation was caused in Ingleton by the news that Captain Ernest Walling, M.C., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Walling, Ferncliffe, had been killed in action on the 25th ult. Captain Walling, who was 32 years of age, received his early education at the Ingleton National School, where for over thirty years his father has been a popular schoolmaster. He won a County Council minor scholarship and went to Giggleswick Grammar School, where in 1914 he won a County Council Major Scholarship in Natural Science at Oxford. He graduated at Magdalen College, Oxford, and in 1907 took his degree in chemistry. He was afterwards assistant master at Oxford, Sheffield and Leeds Grammar Schools, being at the latter place when the war broke out. Prior to the outbreak of hostilities he took a commission in the Leeds Rifles (the West Yorkshires), and went out with that regiment in the early days of the Great War, and with one or two short furloughs he remained there up to his being killed. He had risen from Second-Lieutenant to Captain by sheer merit, had been twice mentioned in despatches (once by General French and once by General Haig), had been awarded the Military Cross, and only the day before he was killed a French General presented him with the much coveted French decoration, the Croix de Guerre He was modest and unassuming, and no more popular person could be found in the district. The greatest sympathy is extended to his parents and the family, and also to his fiancée, Miss Bond, of Sedbergh, their engagement having only been announced this year. The flag on St. Mary’s Church tower was hoisted half-mast out of respect to the deceased officer, whose father has been Vicar’s warden at this church for many years. Captain Walling has one other brother, Second-Lieutenant G. Walling, serving in France, his other brother being a clergyman in Salford.
21 June 1918
INGLETON – Memorial Service
The third memorial service for those who have fallen in the war was held in St Mary’s Church on Sunday evening, when the building was packed. The service opened with the hymn ’O God our help in ages past,’ and was of a special character. The lessons were read by Mr. J. Harding, lay reader, and the other hymns sung were ‘How bright those glorious spirits shine’ and ‘Peace, perfect peace.’ The Vicar read out the names of those who had fallen since the last memorial service, viz., Capt. E. Walling, M.C., Flight-Lieut. R.B. Brookes, Sergeant T. Heaps, M.M., Segeant R.E. Walker, Lance-Corporal J. Fletcher, Private W. Metcalfe, Private E. Robinson, Private P. Coulson, and Private L. E. Redhead (missing). The Vicar paid all honour to the men who had made the supreme sacrifice; they had laid down their lives in order that we might live in peace, and what had we done or what were we going to do for these men who answered the call of King and Country? Were we worthy of their sacrifice? He urged them to make themselves worthy and not to mourn for them, for they had entered into their rest, but rather to reserve their sympathy for those who were left behind. The Ingleton Colliery Band played the Dead March, and Bugler Robert Howson sounded the ‘Last Post,’ an impressive service concluding with the National Anthem. A collection of £5 13s 6d. was taken towards a permanent memorial.
25 May 1919
WALLING – In proud and ever loving memory of Major Ernest Walling, M.C., Croix-de-Guerre (French), who was killed in action at Kemnel [Kemmel] Hill, France, April 25th, 1918.
Ferncliffe, Ingleton.
04 July 1919
PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS
MAJOR E. WALLING, M.C., Croix de Guerre
7th West Yorks. Regiment (Leeds Rifles), eldest son of Mr. G. Walling, ‘Ferncliffe,’ Ingleton. Killed in action at Kemmel Hill, April 25th, 1918. Had a brilliant scholastic career and prior to the war was senior science master at Leeds Grammar School. Was twice mentioned in despatches.
23 April 1920
WALLING – In ever loving memory of Major Ernest Walling, M.A., M.C., Croix de Guerre, who was killed in action, at Kemmel Hill, France, April 25th, 1918.
Ferncliffe, Ingleton.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
31 December 1915
Ingleton Territorial Killed
Several Ingleton homes have been cast under a shadow during the last few … casualties … occurred … fighting in Flanders. The Ingleton Territorial Detachment, which numbered about 50, although they had been in the fighting line since April, had escaped any casualty of a fatal nature, but this run of good luck has unfortunately been broken and much sympathy is felt for Pte. And Mrs. Edward Tomlinson and family, of Lemon Cottage, in the loss of their eldest son, Cyril, aged 23, who has been killed by a sniper in Flanders, death being instantaneous. The deceased’s father and two younger brothers, two brothers-in-law, and four uncles are serving their King and Country. Prior to going away he followed the employment of shoemaker, and worked for Mr. Bryan Holmes, of Bentham. The flag on St. Mary’s Church was flying at half mast out of respect to the deceased. This raises the toll of Ingleton to four.
On Monday evening Dr. J. Mackenzie Broadwood, Ingleton, received a wire to say that his son, Lieut. Gordon Mackenzie, of the K.O.Y.L.I., had been gassed and was in hospital in France. Lieut. Mackenzie was over on short leave only a fortnight ago.
On Wednesday Mr. And Mrs. G. Walling, of Ferncliffe, Ingleton, received information that their eldest son, Lieut. Ernest Walling, who is attached to the 8th Battalion Leeds Rifles, was in hospital suffering from gas poisoning.
On Monday, the 27th, Mrs. Routledge, The Square, Ingleton, received word that her husband, Pte. Herbert Routledge, had been gassed, and was suffering from injuries caused by falling into a shell-hole, and was in hospital at Lincoln awaiting an operation. Pte. Routledge is the brother-in-law to the young man Tomlinson who has been killed.
From information received from young men who have arrived on leave from the trenches it appears that Pte. Jack Wearing, son of Mr. And Mrs. Henry Wearing, of Rock Cottage, Ingleton, has been wounded, but the extent of the wounds are not known at the time of writing. He was attached to the 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment (Territorials).
26 January 1917
INGLETON – MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES
During he past week Capt. Ernest Walling, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Walling, Ferncliffe, Ingleton, has been home suffering from a slight attack of trench feet. Capt. Walling, who is attached to the West Yorkshires, was amongst those mentioned in Sir Douglas Haigh’s recent depatches for conspicuous service in the field. Pte. Charles King, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. King, High Street, Ingleton, who at the time the war broke out was one of Ingleton’s youngest Territorials, has arrived home on a month’s furlough, his time as a member of the Territorial Force having expired. He left Ingleton the day after war was declared, and has been serving in France two years.
25 May 1917
INGLETON OFFICER MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES
Capt. Ernest Walling (acting Major) of the West Yorks, who is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Walling, Ferncliffe, Ingleton, is amongst those mentioned in the despatches issued this week by Sir Douglas Haig. This is the second time Capt. Walling has been mentioned in despatches within a year.
10 May 1918
WALLING – Killed in action April 25th, Capt. Ernest Walling, West Yorks Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Walling, Ferncliff, Ingleton, aged 32.
10 May 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Ingleton Officer Killed
A profound sensation was caused in Ingleton by the news that Capt. Ernest Walling, M.C., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Walling, Ferncliff, had been killed in action on April 25th. Capt. Walling, who was 32 years of age, was an exceptionally clever man, and prior to the war had a brilliant scholastic career. His early education was received at the Ingleton National School, where for over 30 years his father has been schoolmaster. He here won a Minor County Council Scholarship and went to the Giggleswick Grammar School, where in 1904 he won a County Council Major Scholarship and Natural Science Exhibition, Oxford. He graduated at Magdalene College, Oxford, and in 1907 took his degree in chemistry. He was afterwards assistant master at Oxford, Sheffield and Leeds Grammar Schools, he being at the latter place when war broke out. Prior to the outbreak of hostilities he took a commission in the Leeds Rifles (now West Yorks) and went out with his regiment in the early days of the war. His career in the army has been no less brilliant than his scholastic one, which may be gathered from the fact that he has risen from second lieutenant to captain by sheer merit, has been twice mentioned in despatches, once by General French and once by General Haig. He has also been awarded the Military Cross, and only the day before he was killed a French general presented him with the much-coveted French decoration, the Croix-de-Guerre. The flag on St. Mary’s Church tower was hoisted half-mast out of respect to the deceased officer, whose father has been the vicar’s warden at this church for many years. Capt. Walling has another brother, Sec. Lieut. G. Walling serving in France, his other brother being a clergyman in Salford.
23 August 1918
Local Wills
Among the local wills proved this week are the following:– Captain Ernest Walling, Yorkshire Regiment, of Ferncliffe, Ingleton, who was killed in France on March 25, £1,250.
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