Ernest Still was born in Chailey around 1896. The 1901 Census of
In
October 1914, in its first list of local men serving King and Country, Chailey
Parish Magazine records Ernest Still’s name.
In October 1915, two further details are given: the fact that Ernest is
a Private serving with the 2nd Royal Sussex and that he has been wounded on 8th August 1915 in France . In November 1915, Chailey Parish Magazine
notes that Ernest has since returned to active service.
By
April 1916, Ernest was a lance-corporal; by October, a sergeant. The following month, Chailey Parish Magazine
notes that he has been awarded the Military Medal. This award was also announced by The London
Gazette on 10th
October 1916 , noting Ernest as 1657 Acting Corporal E Still, Royal
Sussex Regiment. His medal index card at The
National Archives shows the same number and gives two ranks – private and
corporal. There is no mention from this
source of a rank higher than corporal although his entry on the British War and Victory Medal roll records his rank as sergeant and also notes that he was formerly a corporal with the 2nd Battalion.
In
December 1917, Chailey Parish Magazine reports that Ernest Still is now a
quarter master sergeant and the following month, that he is now with a Trench
Mortar Battery (TMB). These were
assigned on the basis of one TMB per infantry brigade. Personnel from the four infantry battalions in
the brigade were sent on attachment to the TMBs but they retained their parent
unit's badge as well as wearing an additional TMB cloth badge.
In
May 1918, the parish magazine notes that Ernest Still has been gassed and in
January 1919 that he has been promoted again, this time to sergeant major.
Ernest
Still survived the war, ending it as a decorated 22 year old sergeant major
(according to the parish magazine) with a trench mortar battery. Four of his five brothers, Albert Still, Arthur Still, Edward Still and George Still
also served their King and Country during the First World War.
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