Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Ernest, the son of James Gall and Annie (nee Scholefield) was born at Basford, Nottinghamshire in 1888. His father worked at Barclays Bank as a cashier then later became bank manager. Although he is generally known as Ernest several documents prefix his name with Francis.
In 1901 Ernest was at St Chad’s College Public School for Boys, Denstone, Staffordshire. He was 13.
By 1911 he was working as a bank clerk and living alone in rented property at 5 South View Barnard Castle.
Prior to war Ernest worked for Barclays Bank from 1905 until enlisting in 1914. He began his career in the Stock bank at Nottingham before moving to Barnard Castle in 1905. He worked as a cashier there from 1905 until the time he enlisted at Sunderland on August 11th 1914. He did however spend a short period at the Richmond branch in 1912. He was highly esteemed by his colleagues.
The same month Ernest was drafted to the Army Pay department at Aldershot. He was made up to sergeant in his battalion in September just a month after enlisting.
He was a keen member of the Barnard Castle and District Shooting Club so that was perhaps why he was attached to the King’s Royal Rifle Corps which was considered to be one of the crack infantry regiments, was stationed Blenheim Barracks, Aldershot.
His enlistment documentation documents show that Ernest was recorded as being 5’7” tall, weighing 132 lbs, fresh complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair and his faith was Church of England.
He was on home duty from August 11th 1914 until May 17th 1915. The following day he embarked for France. He was reported missing on July 30th 1915 then later he is recorded as ‘death presumed from wounds on or since July 30th 1915’ having served a total of 354 days.
It was noted on records that 2 letters had been received about the soldier. One being from Captain Wormald and the other from Sergeant McGavin who reported that Sergeant Gall was missing but there was no hope of being alive as no prisoners were taken that day ie July 30th 1915.
His estate of £227. 4s. 9d was left to his mother, Annie.
Ernest Scholefield Gall is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
His name is also listed on the Barclays Bank Memorial
