In March 1901, Ernest James Sercombe, aged 21, was a stereotyper living at Hardington.

Early life at Hardington

Ernest was born at Hardington on 23 July 1879, the second child of George and Jane Mary Sercombe. His father was an engineer, and his mother was a schoolteacher.

By the age of twenty-one, he was a stereotyper, probably working at the Western Gazette alongside his father. He worked for the company until he retired, becoming the assistant circulation manager by 1935.[1]

Like his brother William, Ernest enjoyed sports, playing cricket and football for Hardington.[2]

Marriage

On 3 August 1909, Ernest married Winifred Sarah Cope Dunstan at Wandsworth. Winifred, who lost her mother t a young age, was raised in Salisbury by her father, Alfred, an engine driver with the London and South Western Railway.

Residences

When he married, Ernest was living at Brightside, Goldcroft, Yeovil.

Ernest and Winifred set up a home at 10, Crofton Park, Yeovil and lived there for the rest of their lives.

Children

In 1912, they had a daughter, Muriel, who died in infancy. On 8 September 1915, they had a son, Lionel Ernest Peter.

Inheritance

In 1935, Ernest inherited his mother’s estate apart from £930 in legacies.

Death

Winifred died in 1962, aged 78. Ernest died on 16 April 1963, aged 83, leaving an estate valued at £2,952-14s.

References

[1] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 24 April 1935, p.7.

[2] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 6 June 1894, p.6; 15 May 1895, p.7; 6 November 1895, p.7.