Ernest Seaman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ernest Seaman
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| Born | 16 August 1893 Heigham, Norfolk, England |
| Died | 29 September 1918 (aged 25) † Terhand, Belgium |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1915–1918 |
| Rank | Lance Corporal |
| Unit | Army Service Corps The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Military Medal |
Ernest Seaman was a brave English soldier who lived from 1893 to 1918. He received the Victoria Cross (VC) and the Military Medal (MM). The Victoria Cross is the highest award for bravery given to soldiers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. Ernest Seaman was given this special award after he died for his amazing courage during the First World War in 1918. He was part of The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
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Early Life of Ernest Seaman
Ernest Seaman was born on August 16, 1893. His birthplace was Heigham, a small village near Norwich, England. His father passed away when Ernest was still a child. Later, his mother remarried, and the family ran an inn near Scole.
Ernest went to Scole Primary School for his education. After finishing school, he moved to Trimley. There, he lived with an aunt and worked as a page boy. This job was at the Grand Hotel in Felixstowe. In 1912, Ernest decided to move to Canada.
Ernest Seaman in the First World War
When the First World War started, Ernest Seaman returned to the United Kingdom. He wanted to join the British Army and fight for his country. At first, he was not accepted into the army. However, he later managed to enlist in Le Havre, France.
Joining the Army
Ernest was first told he was not fit for fighting on the front lines. He was sent to the catering part of the Royal Army Service Corps in late 1915. This meant he helped with food and supplies. As the war continued, many soldiers were injured or lost their lives. Because of this, the rules for who could fight were changed.
Ernest was then moved to an infantry unit. This was the 2nd Battalion of The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He served in an area called the Ypres salient.
Receiving the Military Medal
While serving, Ernest showed great bravery. He helped wounded soldiers even when under enemy fire. For his courageous actions, he was awarded the Military Medal (MM). His company commander recommended him for this award.
Actions Leading to the Victoria Cross
On September 29, 1918, Ernest's battalion was part of the 36th (Ulster) Division. They were fighting in the Fifth Battle of Ypres. This battle was part of a bigger attack called the Hundred Days Offensive. Their mission was to capture a place called Terhand.
The battalion started well, but then they were stopped. German machine-gun posts were firing at them. Ernest Seaman was a lance corporal and operated a Lewis gun. He played a very important part in helping the soldiers move forward again.
He bravely rushed ahead by himself, carrying his Lewis gun. He faced heavy enemy fire. He attacked the machine-gun position alone. He managed to capture two machine guns and twelve enemy soldiers. He also killed one officer and two men.
Later that same day, he attacked another enemy machine-gun position. He captured that gun too, still under heavy fire. Sadly, he was killed right after this brave act.
The Victoria Cross Award
Ernest's incredible bravery was recognized with the Victoria Cross (VC). He received this award after he died. The VC is the highest award for courage in the British Empire. It was first created in 1856.
The official statement about his VC said:
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When the right flank of his company was held up by a nest of enemy machine guns, he, with great courage and initiative, rushed forward under heavy fire with his Lewis gun and engaged the position single-handed, capturing two machine guns and twelve prisoners and killing one officer and two men. Later in the day he again rushed another enemy machine-gun position, capturing the gun under heavy fire. He was killed immediately after. His courage and dash were beyond all praise, and it was entirely due to the very gallant conduct of Lce. Cpl. Seaman that his company was enabled to push forward to its objective and capture many prisoners.
Ernest Seaman's actions allowed his company to move forward. They were able to reach their goal and capture many enemy soldiers.
Commemoration and Medal Presentation
Ernest Seaman does not have a known grave. However, he is remembered at several memorials. He is honored at the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing near Ypres. He is also on the memorial for the 36th Division at the Ulster Tower near Thiepval. Other memorials include the Felixstowe War Memorial in Suffolk and the Scole War Memorial in Norfolk.
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On February 13, 1919, King George V presented Ernest's Victoria Cross to his mother. This special ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace.
Medals and Awards
Ernest Seaman's Victoria Cross is kept at the museum of The Royal Logistic Corps. This museum is for the successor to the Army Service Corps.
Besides the Victoria Cross and the Military Medal, he also received other campaign medals. These included the 1914–1915 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. These medals were given to soldiers who served in the war.
