Rushden Research Group: Ernest Bandey

Ernest Bandey

Ernest Collins Bandey was born at Rushden in 1879, the eldest child of Josiah and Mary. His parents came from Ravesden and Cotton End near Bedford, Josiah having found work here as a clicker in the shoetrade, and they also had four girls. 'Ern' worked in the shoetrade, and he was also an amateur photographer.

Ernest lived in Brookfield Road, close by the Mission Church. In 1904 he married Lizzie Emily Eden who had come to Rushden from Bozeat and worked in the shoe trade. She and her sister Sarah were boarding in Brookfield Road, with their older married sister, Mary Lawson.

In 1914 Ernest had taken a photograph of the CWS factory boys when they went off to war. In 1916 he complied a display of 230 of the serving boys of the Mission Church as a Roll of Honour. Perhaps he had taken a photograph of each man when he enlisted.

Other noted postcards by Ernest were taken at the dedication of the War Shrine in Wellingborough Road and the Mission church lads brigade.

He was secretary of the Mission Church Sunday School, and at Xmas 1917 he made a postcard (see below) from his photograph of the Mission Church's Roll of Honour which he displayed inside the church, and on the back he added his own note to the serving men. Perhaps it was for families to send out to their soldier sons.

At Xmas 1918 he issued another postcard (above) entitled 'Peeps at Home'.

Ern was player/secretary for the Church cricket club in the 1920s.

He was buried in Rushden cemetery grave F740, on October 27th 1943. Although the grave was a double plot, no further inscription was added, and there is no record of Lizzie being buried there.

Girls in the Rough Stuff room at CWS factory

Ernest also took this photograph of girls at the CWS factory in 1917, working in the
'Rough Stuff' department, as replacements for the men gone to war.

Postcard by Ern Bandey to send to the Mission Church's serving men at Christmas 1917. He had also photgraphed the Street Shrine.

Rushden Echo, 18th January 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins

The Soldiers at Hinwick Auxiliary Hospital were yesterday week entertained by the parishioners to tea in the schoolroom, Mrs. R. R. B. Orlebar and the staff being also present. Mr. E. C. Bandy’s party from Rushden gave an excellent programme, and games were also indulged in.

Rushden Echo, 28th April 1922, transcribed by Kay Collins

Presentation—On the occasion of his marriage recently, Mr. Arthur Perkins, of the Mission Cricket Club, and a cricketer for many years, was presented on Tuesday by Mr. E. C. Bandey (secretary of the Mission C.C.) on behalf of the members with a handsome arm chair. Mr. Bandey expressed the hearty good wishes of the Club for Mr. and Mrs. Perkins’s happiness and prosperity. Mr. Perkins suitably acknowledged the gift.

Rushden Echo, 1^st December 1933

Ernest C Bandey begs to inform the public that he has opened his premises in Brookfield-road with a large and varied selection of Medium and High Grade Footwear: Ladies’ at 10/6, Gents' from 8/11, Youths’ and Boys' from 5/11. Repairs of all kinds undertaken: rubbers and cut stuff supplied. My motto “A Square Deal” and “Value for Money.”

His obituary

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