First World War Medal Trio – Sergeant Ernest Caress, 4th Bn. , King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry T.F.
1914-15 Star – 1457 SJT E. CARESS. YORKS:L.I.
British War Medal – 1457 SJT. E. CARESS. K.O.Y.L.I.
Victory Medal – 1457 SJT. E. CARESS. K.O.Y.L.I.
Ernest Caress was born on 23rd April 1892 at Wakefield, Yorkshire, the son of William Caress and Bridget Agnes (née Garrity). He grew up in Wakefield and was residing with his family at 21 Marsland Street, Primrose Hill, Wakefield at the time of the 1911 Census, when he was aged 18 and employed as a coal miner, a physically demanding and hazardous occupation typical of the district.
He enlisted for service in the Territorial Force, joining the 4th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, a locally raised unit with its headquarters at Wakefield, forming part of the 3rd West Riding Infantry Brigade, West Riding Division. On the outbreak of war in August 1914, the battalion was immediately mobilised for active service and moved first to Doncaster, then to Gainsborough, before relocating to York in February 1915 to prepare for overseas deployment.
Ernest Caress embarked for France with the battalion and landed at Boulogne on 12th April 1915, entering the Western European Theatre of War on 13th April 1915. Shortly after arrival, the battalion concentrated in the Estaires area, and on 15th May 1915 became part of the newly redesignated 148th (3rd West Riding) Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. The division’s early service included operations during the Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915, followed by continued trench warfare in the Flanders sector.
Ernest Caress was discharged from the Army on 3rd May 1916. While the precise reason for discharge is not explicitly stated in surviving records, the timing is consistent with the expiry of terms of engagement or administrative discharge following overseas service, rather than wounds or disciplinary action.
Following his return to civilian life, Ernest resumed employment in heavy industry. On 30th June 1917, he married Florine (also recorded as Florrie) Matthews at St John the Baptist Church, Wakefield. On the marriage register, Ernest gave his occupation as miner and his age as 26, confirming that he was no longer serving at the time of marriage. The marriage took place during the height of the war, while his former battalion remained on active service overseas.
Post-war records show Ernest Caress continuing a stable working life in Wakefield. By 1921, he was employed as a colliery surface worker (platelayer) at Low Saither Colliery, Wrenthorpe, and was residing at 49 Greenhill Road, Wakefield, living with his wife’s family. By 1939, Ernest was recorded at 17 Clair Street, Wakefield, employed as a beer pump fitter, indicating a move into skilled mechanical work. Licensing records from 1924 and 1932 link him directly to the Wheat Sheaf Inn, Wakefield, further supporting his long-term association with licensed premises and brewery-related trades.
Following the death of his first wife Florine Caress (née Matthews) in 1952, Ernest remarried in 1954, taking Hilda Marshall as his second wife. He remained in Wakefield for the remainder of his life and died there in September 1974, aged 82.
Ernest Caress’s military service represents that of a Territorial Force NCO who served overseas during the critical early period of the war, before returning to civilian life and contributing to the industrial and licensed-trade workforce of West Yorkshire for decades thereafter. His medals reflect genuine overseas service with the 49th (West Riding) Division during 1915, and his life story is unusually well documented through census, marriage, employment, and licensing records.
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