In 1901, Ernest Woods Gyle (3), and his brother John (5), were living with their mother’s brother, John Andrew Reid Burnside (41) and his wife Margaret (32), at Sea View Street, Holywood, County Down, Ireland.

Also living at this address were John and Margaret’s children: Mabel (13); Ethel (11); Sara (7); James (10); Frederick (5); and William (younger than 1 year). Also living at this address was Louisa Jeffery (22) a Domestic Servant.

In 1911 the family were living at number 10, Queen’s Avenue Perth: Father, John (45); Mother Mary Ann (43); Son, John Burnside (15); Son Ernest Woods (13); Mother Frances Gyle (80); and Sister Frances Johnston (47).

De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour (an important source of information if you are looking for a British armed forces casualty of the First World War) confirms: 

“Ernest Woods Gyle was the son of John Gyle, 10 Queen’s Avenue, Perth, Officer Customs and Excise, and his wife Mary (daughter of James Burnside of Belfast), and was born in Lees, Oldham, on 18th February 1898.

“He was educated at Perth Academy where he held the Junior Championship of the School Sports for two years and was captain of the school XV in 1916.

“Ernest was a medical Student at Edinburgh University in 1916 and enlisted in the Black Watch in July of that year. He went to the Cadet Battalion at Pirbright in November 1917, received a commission in March 1918, and served with the Expeditionary Force in France from the following August.

“He was killed in action at Wassigny on the 18th of October of the same year and was buried there. His Colonel wrote: ‘We were engaged in the capture of Wassigny. He was gallantly leading his platoon when he was shot through the heart by a machine-gun bullet. I cannot tell you how sorry I am to lose such a splendid officer’ and his batman ‘He was dear to all of us ….. He died with a smile on his face’.

“Testimonies from civilian friends, brother officers and men of his platoon show that he was a general favourite wherever he went and gained the respect and esteem of all who knew him. Both at school and in the army he was not only a keen athlete, being on the Physical Training Staff at Pirbright during his commission, but spent a good deal of his time in sketching and photography.” 

At the time of his death Ernest Gyle was 20 years of age and unmarried.

Ernest Gyle is also commemorated on the Perth West Church War Memorial; and the Edinburgh University War Memorial.