Ernest Gould was born on 19th March 1887 at Heatley near Lymm and baptised on 5th June of that year at St Peter’s in Oughtrington. He was the son of George Frederick Gould who was born in Lymm around 1864 and Elizabeth (nee Robinson) who was born in Shropshire around 1861. At that time the father was a corn miller.
The 1891 Census recorded the family as living at Rush Green in Lymm. Ernest had a sister Lucy who was three years his senior. Later that year a boy called George William was born.
It is not apparent where the parents and Ernest were living by 1901, but Lucy was a servant at a house in Lymm and George William was boarding with another family in the same village.
On 3rd November 1907 Ernest married Elsie Miller at Frodsham, who had been born in that village in 1886. They would have two sons: George Goodwin and Sydney.
The 1911 Census showed the couple living at Aston Lodge where Ernest was a domestic chauffeur.
Ernest’s service records for the Great War recorded him as attesting on 28th May 1918 at the age of 31 years. He was a motor mechanic at the time. He was described as being just over 5’ 9’’ tall, with sandy hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. He was assigned to the Royal Air Force and given the service number 189485. On 6th May 1919 he transferred to the RAF Reserve and was finally discharged on 30th April 1920.
The 1939 Register showed Ernest and Elsie living at “Yealand” at Frodsham Bridge. He was a garage proprietor and motor engineer. Their two sons, who were now married, lived in the next two houses and both were motor mechanics.
Ernest’s parents died in the inter-war years.
Ernest Gould passed away in early 1957, at the age of 70 years, predeceasing Elsie by two years.