109412 A/Cpl. Ernest Isherwood was born on September 10th, 1892, in Manchester, England. He joined the 4th CMR on November 27th, 1914, in Toronto. He was a farmer by trade, but had also served four years in the British Army, with the Royal Army Medical Corps.
When he joined he was 22 years old and 5ft 7½ inches tall, with fair hair and blue eyes. He must have been a good boxer, as he won a gold medal, 1st prize, in the 145 lbs boxing championships at Valcartier Camp in July 1915, just before he was posted to France. Earnest continued to serve in France, Flanders and England throughout the War.
He was at the "Battle for Mount Sorrel", being buried by a shell on the June 2nd, 1916. While in England he met his wife and they were married in 1917. He returned to Canada in 1919 and continued farming. Unfortunately he died from the effects of bronchitis, which he had contracted during the War, in the late 1920's or early 1930's. His wife and two young boys returned to England.
His service papers record that he was awarded the Military Medal 8-11-1916. I cannot confirm this and it is not mentioned in the Regimental History or on any of the other documents. There are some notes on his papers which may mean that this was a mistake, or the wrong man? He was serving in England at this time. If anyone can shed any light on this, we would be most grateful.
Many thanks to Nick Penrose for the above biography. The MM query is being looked into, and details will appear here as soon as we have them.