Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: Ernest Alfred Charles Jarvis
Service Number: 3474
Place of Birth: Dulwich, London.
Date of Birth: 17 February 1887
Place of Enlistment: Renmark
Date of Enlistment: 23 March 1917
Age at Enlistment: 30 years 1 month
Marital status: Single
Next of Kin: Father – A.G. Jarvis, Berri
Occupation: Horticultrist
Religion: Church of Christ
Rank: Private

Biographical details:
Ernest trained with B Coy, at Mitcham Camp from 23 March to 1 May 1917 and with C Coy from 16 May to 2 November. While at Mitcham on 8 October he was absent without leave. He left from Melbourne with his unit, the 9th Light Horse, on board HMT A73 Commonwealth on 2 November. Ernest joined the Reinforcements Camp at Moascar, Egypt, on 10 December, where he remained serving for the duration of the war. He returned to Australia on HS Oxfordshire on 10 August 1919 and was discharged on 3 September. Source: NAA; B2455: Jarvis E A C; Barcode 7360419.
Ernest was among the returned soldiers given a welcome home in Britannia Hall, Berri in early September 1919(1) and was memorialized at the Gate of Honour, Men from Renmark and District, Roll of Honour Boards when it was officially opened in June 1929(2).
Fruit Block Details:
Ernest occupied Block 291 of 11 acres at Lone Gum on 1 November 1920, on which he built a limestone house valued at 300 pounds(3) Kurt was involved in Monash School activities and prior to enlisting, the Patriotic Sports carnival at Berri in June 1916, which raised 70 pounds for wounded soldiers (4). He participated in the Monash Model Parliament, which was a precursor to the Berri Council being formed, in which Councillors were elected from surrounding towns, including Monash/Lone Gum, and serving in the Parliament.
Other Anecdotal Information:
He married Mary Walker Aird and they had a son, Lawrie Ernest, born at Berri on 14 May 1922(5).The Australian Electoral Roll 1903 – 1980 lists his address as Ungarra(near Tumby Bay) and his occupation as a baker. Ernest died at the age of 85 and was interred at Murray Bridge on 20 March 1972(6).
References:
1. National Australian Archives: B2455; Jarvis E A C; Barcode 7360419
2. Trove/ The Murray Pioneer & The Australian River Record 12 September 1919.
3. Trove/ The Murray Pioneer & The Australian River Record 21 June 1929.
4.Barmera Berri Council, Berri Barmera & Districts Local History Collection.
5.Trove/ The Murray Pioneer & The Australian River Record 8 June 1916.
6 & 7. South Australian Births, Death and Marriages Records.


Private Ernest Jarvis : Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com