Eric William Grant was born at the start of 1901, the middle of three children to Ernest and Annie Grant. Ernest was a carpenter from Bath, Somerset, and it was here they he and Annie raised their young family.
Little information is available about Eric’s young life. When war came to Europe, his father joined up, enlisting in the Royal Engineers as a Sapper. Keen not to miss out, Eric also signed up, lying about his age to ensure he was accepted.
When he joined in February 1916, Private Grant was assigned to the 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. Full details of his service are lost to time, but towards the end of the war, Eric was based in East Anglia.
It was here, in early 1919, that Private Grant fell ill. He was admitted to the Norfolk War Hospital, but whatever his condition, it proved fatal. He passed away on 2nd March, aged just 18 years old.
Eric William Grant’s body was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest in the peaceful graveyard of St Michael’s Church, Monkton Combe, where the family now living.
Despite her understandable concern at seeing her husband and son go off to war, and for Eric to die because of it, Annie was to be reunited with Ernest. Again, full details of his service are lost, but the 1939 Register found him and Annie living with their daughter and Ernest’s brother in Bathavon, Somerset.
Annie passed away in 1947, at the age of 73. Ernest lived on until 1952, having lived to 76 years old. Both were buried in St Michael’s Churchyard, reunited with their son at last.
Death and Service 