Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ernest Frederick Paget

Ernest Frederick Paget was born on May the 6th 1895 in Adelaide (159 Wakefield Street) to James Ernest Paget and Jessie Helena Russell. He was the youngest of 6 children as his mother died when he was only six months old.   

He was raised by his father James who worked as a tailor making police uniforms. James used to take his son to work with him where he would play amongst the boxes of fabrics. James unfortunately passed away in 1901 when Ernest was only 6 years old. After this Ernest lived with his eldest sister Hilda (193 Wakefield Street, Adelaide) and then went on to live with a family called the Pullens until he was old enough to work.

Ernest was employed as a harness maker by Julias Cohen in Adelaide. He also served two years as a Cadet 78A Transfer Citizen Force.    

Ernest was a soldier in World War One. He Joined the Australian Imperial Force on the 16th of August 1915. He left on the Royal Mail steamer (RMS) Malwa on the 2nd December 1915 to fight with the 12th Battalion. He also fought with the 52nd Battalion in 1916. He served as a part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps for 3 years and 125 days in France and England. He was also in Egypt after the evacuation of Gallipoli. On the 19th of February 1919 he left England aboard the Orca and was later honourably discharged from the service on the 20th of June 1919. 

We don’t know a lot about what he experienced during his time as a soldier because like many men in those days he didn’t speak much about it. One story he did tell was that while in Egypt he witnessed a camel from the Camel Corps rip the scalp off one of the Light Horsemen. So although he loved horses he distrusted and disliked camels. 

In rank he was a Private, his job title was Gunner and his service number was 3734. At the time he went away he was 20 years and 3 months of age. He was five foot, three inches in height and weighed 110 pounds. He had a fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.  

During World War One Ernest was gassed while in the trenches on three occasions, this caused him serious health issues including pleurisy throughout the rest of his life.           

After Ernest returned home he met and married a woman named Alice Jane Keough. Together they had 7 children: Molly 1921, Ernest 1922, Percival 1923(both Ernest and Percival died in infancy), Irene 1925, Verna 1926, Ronald 1928, Maurice 1929. From their five surviving children, Ernest and Alice then went on to have twenty six grandchildren, at least thirty five great grandchildren and to date at least 13 great great grandchildren. 

Ernest suffered from ongoing lung issues as a direct result of his war time exposure to gas. He had frequent trips to hospital and the family had to move to the country for his health. He was eventually declared a TPI (Totally and Permanently Incapacitated) veteran.

In later life he would take part in ANZAC Day marches in Adelaide. His oldest daughter Molly used to polish his medals and shoes and would dry clean his suit ready for these parades. She never missed out on these parades and when she eventually had children of her own she took them to see him march.

He died in 1971 at the age of 76 years, only a few months after his wife Alice. He was buried in the soldier cemetery at Centennial Park in Adelaide. This decision upset his wife to think that it was more important to him to be buried with his fellow soldiers than with his beloved wife. This shows the impact that his war experience had on him.

Ernest Frederick Paget (`Pop' to his grandchildren) was born on 6th May 1895 in Adelaide at 159 Wakefield Street. He resided at several locations including Adelaide, Alberton, Richmond, Saddleworth, Riverton and eventually back to Richmond.

Ernest was the youngest child and unfortunately lost his mother when he was six months old. He was raised by his father James, who was a tailor in Rundle Street, making police uniforms.

James used to take his son to work with him, and used to lay him to sleep on the bales of material. Ernest's father died when he was only six and thereafter he lived with whoever would have him. Firstly with his eldest sister Hilda at 193 Wakefield Street, Adelaide and for some
time he also lived with a family called the Pullens, until he was old enough to work.

He served 2 years as a Cadet 78A Transfer Citizen Force and was employed by Julias Cohen, Adelaide, as an apprentice harness
maker.

He was a soldier in the Army during World War I - 1914-1918. He joined the Australian Imperial Force on 16/08/1915 - aged 20 years and 3 months. He left on the RMS (Royal Mail Steamer) Malwa on
2.12.1915 to fight with 12th Battalion.

Formed 52nd Battalion in 1916. He served overseas in France and England for three years and 125 days. He was in Egypt after
the evacuation of Gallipoli. He embarked from England for Australia aboard the Orca on 19th February 1919, and was discharged from the Service on 20th June 1919.

His personal (Army) details were: Service Number: 3734. Rank: Private, Gunner, 42nd Battery, 11th Field Artillery Brigade. Age: 20 yrs 3 months. Height: 5ft 3 V4". Weight: 110 lb. Complexion: fair. Eyes: blue. Hair: light brown. Religion: Church of England.

During the War, Ernest was gassed in the trenches on three occasions, which caused him serious harm (pleurisy – probably pneumonia in today’s language).

His health failed and he suffered quite a lot and being in and out of hospital during the rest of his life - a result of the gassing in the trenches. He was a real battler and never ever gave into his illness easily, but the effects stayed with him all his life.

After his return home from war, Ernest met Alice Jane Keough, daughter of Anna Maria Wilson and John Keough.

When World War II broke out (1939-1945), Ern worked at Holden’s upholstery and at Metters constructing boats.

He died on 30th September 1971, only a fewm months after the death of his beloved wife Alice, and is buried in Derrick Gardens of Remembrance, Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia.