Stringfellow, Ernest Clarence

995 Fitter Ernest Clarence Stringfellow - 5th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company AIF

Ernest Stringfellow was born in Parramatta NSW in 1884to James and Isabella Stringfellow. He was one of several siblings with, James (1881), Burnett (1884) and Stanley (1889).

In the early 1900's Burnett and his brother Ernest travelled to Western Australia and took up residence in Thompson Road North Fremantle. Burnett was a blacksmith and secured employment with the WA Government Railways. Ernest was also a Blacksmith and was working with the Westralian Iron works. He was living in Ainslie Road North Fremantle.

In 1914 Ernest married Ruby Horner in North Fremantle in 1914. The marriage made the social notes of the West Australian newspaper.

SOCIAL NOTES.

(By "Adrienne.")

A correspondent writes:-A pretty choral wedding was celebrated in the Methodist Church, North Fremantle, on the evening of December 30 last. The contracting parties were Mr. Ernest Stringfellow, second

son of Mr. and Mrs. James Stringfellow, of Parramatta, New South Wales, and Miss Ruby Horner, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Horner, of North Fremantle.

That the bride and bridegroom were very popular was evidenced by the fact that the church was filled with their many friends. The bride having been organist of the church for many years, the members of

the choir took special interest in the evening, and, through their efforts, the church was beautifully decorated the decorations including a pretty wedding bell, which was very effective. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. F. S. Finch, and the bride, who was given away by her father, looked charming, in a lovely gown of the

softest duchesse satin, with fine blonde lace overdress, the bodice being opened at the throat and trimmed with soft lace and glistening diamond buttons. The skirt was caught up at one side with a posy of orange blossoms, and a beautiful) bouquet of white roses and maiden hair fern was carried, the usual wreath and veil being worn. Miss Stella Homer, only sister of the bride, acted as bridesmaid and was gowned in the palest of pink crept de chine, with finishings of pale pink

merve and soft tulle; a posy was worn in the hair. A pretty bouquet of pink asters, roses, and maiden hair fern was carried.

Mr. Jack Short, who also comes from Parramatta, was best man. As the party left the church to the strains of the organ the bride and bridegroom were showered with confetti. They motored to the Rechabite Hall, where the guests were tendered a reception by the bride's parents. The bride's mother wore a becoming dress of black glace silk, with soft shadow lace' tunic, and bodice draped with lace, and a black tagel hat, trimmed with black lancer plume, caught .with a tiny posy at side. A spray of crimson carnations and fern was carried. The Rev. F. S. Finch acted as chairman, and the usual toasts were honoured. The company spent the remainder of the evening in games and merriment, with musical items. The happy couple left by motor for their home at Subiaco, the bride travelling in a dainty

heliotrope voile gown and white tagel hat, trimmed with soft tulle and touches of pale heliotrope merve: Many handsome and valuable presents were received, including a silver entree dish from the trustees of the North Fremantle Methodist Church.

After the wedding and honeymoon Ernest resumed work with the ironworks but also tried to enlist into the AIF in 1915. He was knocked back for unspecified reasons but tried again in 1916. On the 21st December 1916. he and his brother Burnett enlisted the same day and were accepted as fit for service.

The medical examiner recorded Ernest's details as;

Height - 5 feet 5 & 1/2 inches;

Weight - 120lbs;

Chest Measurement - 32-34 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Brown.

Ernest's enlistment coincided with the introduction of a Railway Corps into the Australian Imperial Force. Due to Ernest's and his brother's railway experience, both were assigned to the Australian Railway Corps Reinforcements.

On the 29th Janaury 1917 Burnett and Ernest boarded the transport ship HMAT Miltiades in Fremantle Harbour and set sail for England, arriving at Devonport Harbour on the 27th March 1917.

After several weeks of training in England, Ernest was sent across to France in May 1917 where he was attached to the 59th Railway Operating Company. He served with the 59th Company and then the 5th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company in France and Belgium through 1917 and 18. They were kept very busy bringing supplies and troops up to the front lines and while not in the trenches, the railway men were often under long range artillery fire and bombing from the German planes as the Germans knew the importance of the Railway lines and terminus's.

Fortunately Ernest was never wounded in the war and aside from a few minor ailments got through unscathed.

On the 21st June 1919 Ernest boarded the transport ship Kongin Louise and left for Australia, disembarking in Fremantle on the 3rd August 1919.

Ernest returned home and resumed work with the Westralian Iron Works.

In 1921 a son James was born, through tragically he only lived for nine days, and a daughter Lorna was born in 1922.

Ernest died in Fremantle in 1968 aged 82.

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