Introduction

Ernest James Sercombe was the son of the headteacher of the village school.He joined his father at the Western Gazette company in Yeovil at a young age, becoming the assistant circulation manager by 1935.

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 a printing engineer, and his mother was the headteacher at the village school.

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 his retirement, 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 lost her mother at the age of five, and was raised in Salisbury by her father, Alfred, who worked as an engine driver for the London and South Western Railway.

Residences

At the time of his marriage, Ernest was living at Brightside, Goldcroft, Yeovil.

Ernest and Winifred established their home at 10 Crofton Park, Yeovil, where they lived 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.