Ernest Tibble was born in Ampfield, Hampshire and baptised on 18 September 1892. His father was George Tibble, also known as Theobald (1841-1913) and his mother was Barbara Boniface (1851-1910).

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The 1901 census shows Ernest living at Knapp Lodge, Ratlake, Ampfield. His father’s occupation is recorded as a labourer. The 1911 census also shows Ernest living in Hampshire.

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Searching through the copies of letters from the Ardgowan Estate held in the excellent Glasgow City Archives at the Mitchell Library, two letters relating to Private Ernest Tibble were found which established the Inverkip connection; he worked on the Ardgowan Estate.

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The letters are very similar with only minor differences in the wording, one is to the Secretary of the War Office and one to the Officer in charge of military records. The handwriting was recognised as belonging to the then factor of the estate, Mr Horatio Peile.

 

They read:

Pte Ernest Tibble 46614 Lancashire Fusiliers. The above man having been reported killed in action, I should be obliged if you would be good enough to let me know the name and address of his next of kin' . Tibble, before enlistment was in the employ of Sir Hugh Shaw Stewart Bart. of Ardgowan, who had been paying the difference between the man's wages before enlistment and his Army pay into a fund for his benefit and I now wish to know to whom the money is legally due. Yours faithfully'

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He enlisted for service in Greenock in 1914 and although not shown on his medal index card, some records show he served in the Royal Scots, for just 25 days before being discharged, apparently due to poor eyesight. He served as a driver in the ASC (Army Service Corps) and then in the Lancashire Fusiliers.