Forename: Ernest James
Surname: Colchester
Rank: Sapper
Regiment: Royal Engineers
Institution: St Paul’s Practising School
Ernest James Colchester, son of Alfred and Ruby Colchester, lived at 35 Old Bath Road, Cheltenham. He was born on 27 September 1912 and was educated at St Pauls Practising School from September 1922 to September 1924 and The Central School, Gloucester Road between 1924 to 1928.
Ernest served as a Sapper in the 296 Army Field Company, Royal Engineers in the Middle East during the North African campaign. He was seriously wounded which led to his death during ‘Operation Crusader’ on 11 October 1941 aged 29. He is buried at El Alamein War Cemetery. The headstone reads “Though far away, His loving memory is for ever with us”.