Pte Ernest Halford (1882-1940) was not related to the other Halfords listed in this article. His birth was registered as Ernest Halford in 1882 and he was baptized at Bretforton in 1883 as Ernest Charles, the illegitimate son of Mary Halford, who later married Charles Smith in 1884. Ernest grew up in Bretforton with his mother, step-father, and growing number of half-siblings. By the time of the 1911 census, they were living at 8 Bowers Hill Cottages and Ernest worked as a market gardener’s labourer. Ernest’s mother died in June 1912.
An ‘E. Halford’ was reported as enlisting at Wickhamford in The Evesham Journal of 26th September 1914. He was reported as wounded in The Times casualty list of 11th October 1916. His Medals record show that he was in the 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regt (No 14924), and had gone to France on 2nd April 1915. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star and the Victory and British War medals.