ERIC BARTON HURST
14 February 1896 - 29 January 1917
At School 1910 - 1912
Pte 3681 1st Honourable Artillery Company
Eric was born in Manchester to Charles, a Merchant Shippers Manager and Minnie Hurst, who in 1901 were living at 22 Northern Grove, Didsbury, with Eric's younger brother Norman, aged 2. Eric meanwhile, in the 1901 census aged 5, was a visitor at Rhoslan, Llandrillo, Colwyn Bay, presumably on holiday, with other visitors Achilles, Chysanthos and Demosthens Michaelides. The School Admissions Book states that in 1910 Eric was admitted to School under the direction of Miss Barton, guardian, and his address is given as 114 Burton Road, Withington. The 1911 Census shows Eric aged 15, living at 114 Burton Road, with Ada M Barton, housekeeper and Chysanthos Michaelides, Shipper. Ada was in fact the elder sister of Minnie and thus Eric's Aunt. It appears that his father and mother must have separated as the 1911 census shows Charles, now described as an agent for a Paper Makers, living in lodgings at 504 Moss Lane East, Rusholme and Minnie, described as a boarding house keeper, living at 87 Lansdowne Road, West Didsbury together with younger son Norman.
Eric's service records survive and show that he enlisted with the Honourable Artillery Company on 2 June 1915, at their headquarters, Armoury House, Finsbury, for a period of 4 years, registering his address as 10 The Grove, Blackheath. He gave his age as 21 years and was described as 5 ft 7 inches with a chest measurement of 35.5 inches. After training he embarked at Southampton on 21 July 1916, arriving at
Le Havre the following day. He was posted initially to No 7 InfantryBase Depot, a holding camp, and on 27 July was transferred to No. 6 Entrenching Battalion, joining them in the field on the 29th. On 25 November 1916, Eric, in a draft of 183 men from the entrenching Battalion, joined the 1st Battalion at Nouvion en Ponthieu, being posted to A Company. At this time the Battalion was at rest near Abbeville, following their involvement in the Battle of Ancre and the capture of Beaucourt Hamel. The next month was undertaken out of the line, reinforcing, re-equipping and training.
On 25 December 1916 Eric left Nouvion amongst a party of 43 OR's who "departed to report to HQ Tanks" at Bermicourt, a village just north of the Hesdin-St Pol road. The Tank Corps was then in its infancy and known as the Heavy Branch of the Machine Gun Corps. Unfortunately Eric's transfer to the Tank Corps was short lived as on 14 January he was taken to the 12th Stationary Hospital in St Pol
suffering from Bronchitis, and, on 29 January,died from Broncho-Pneumonia and was buried in St Pol Communal Cemetery Extension. Although his mother was named as next of kin, his personal effects were sent to his father, on 11 October 1918, nearly two years later! They are listed on his service record:- Letters, Card, Ring, Purse, Cigarette Case, Wallet, Photos, Wrist Watch (broken), Pipe, Safety Razor in Tin, Diary, Testament, Initial, Belt, Compass, Card Case, Bag.
Gunner ERIC B HURST, Honourable Artillery Company, who died in hospital from pneumonia, on January 29th, was at the School from 1910 to 1912. He played lacrosse for Heywood House and some of our readers may remember his account of the King’s Rally at Windsor in 1911.