COMMEMORATED IN PERPETUITY BY THE

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Ernest Terry joined the Royal Field Artillery at Wantage and after initial training disembarked in France on 13th May 1915. The RFA was the largest branch of the Royal Artillery, providing howitzers and medium artillery near the front line. The RFA 85th Howitzer Brigade became part of the 18th (Eastern) Division that was embarked to France on 24 July 1915. The Division served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions. Gunner Ernest Terry was listed as "Wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office (13 September 1916) whilst taking part in one of the many phases of the Battle of the Somme (Ginchy). His injuries meant that he was transferred back home via the 2nd Western General Hospital, Manchester. Despite the hospital treatment, Ernest eventually died from his wounds on 26th Feb 1917 and is buried at Steventon Churchyard with a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone. 

The Terry family, from Milton, have lived in Steventon since at least 1886 (1891 Census). Ernest William Terry was born in 1893 and was living in Steventon in 1911. He was the youngest son of Edward George (known as George) and Emma Terry, of Timsbury Terrace, Steventon. Ernest had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Ernest's father was originally a Steam Plough Engine Driver and by 1901 had moved to Timsbury Terrace in Steventon High Street (Highway Lane as it was called then). Ernest was a Farm Labourer before he signed up to the Royal Field Artillery at Wantage in 1914. Ernest’s mother, Emma died a year after the war ended (1919) and George died in 1929.