Ernest Stuart Markillie died of wounds on this day in 1915
Ernest Stuart Markillie was born in Peckham, 24 March 1895, the third child of six of John Adam Markillie and Julia Frances Markillie (née Morris).
His father, John, was Mayor of Camberwell in 1907-08 and had fought under Lord Roberts in the Afghan campaign. After the army he became an advertising contractor.
At the 1901 Census, six year old Ernest was living at home with his parents, older siblings Ruby (14), Maud (12) Edgar (10) and younger siblings Doris (4) and May (2).
His father, John Markillie, died in 1908.
At the 1911 Census, the family were living at 85 Norbury Crescent, Melfort Road, Norbury SW and 16 year-old Ernest was at home with his widowed mother and older siblings Ruby (24), Maud (22), Edgar (19) and younger siblings Doris (14) and May (11).
Ernest went to Bellingdon Road Higher Grade School and South London School, Camberwell. He was in the first Rugby team and was a 'fine swimmer'.
He worked as a clerk in the London County and Midland Bank 1913-14. In September 1914, at the outbreak of war, he volunteered and enlisted as a Rifleman in the 5th Battalion, London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade).
Ernest went to France November 1914. He was fixing barbed wire in Bailleul when he received a fatal wound. He died of his wounds at No.2 Clearing Hospital. His death was reported in the Shoreditch Observer, 5 February 1915.
Ernest is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Nord.
His older brother Edgar Markillie had emigrated to Australia in 1912. He joined the Australian Expeditionary force and was killed at Gallipoli 9 August 1915.
156 Pte Ernest Stuart Markillie, 5th Bn. London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)