Capt Ernest D Messervy, 21st London Regt

Captain Ernest Dyce Messervy of the 21st (County of London) Battalion (First Surrey Rifles) The London Regiment, was killed in action on the 20th July 1917. At the time of his death he was attached to the Royal Flying Corps. On the 4th April 1918, Flight & The Aircraft Engineer published the following obituary:

CAPTAIN ERNEST DYCE MESSERVY, London Regt, attached RFC, who was missing on July 20th 1917, and is now believed to have been killed that day, was the youngest son of the late Ernest and [Margaret?] Dyce Messervy, Telawakelle, Ceylon, and nephew of Mrs Thorne, Highfield Park, Heckfield. His age was 23.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission adds the additional information that he was serving with 56th Squadron at the time of his death. He is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.

A 28-year-old Major Gerald Messervy MC of the RFA also died during the First World War (8th October 1918). The Commonwealth War Graves Commission adds that he was the "Son of Ernest Francis and Margaret Dyce Messervy" and this being the case it looks likely that he was Captain Ernest Dyce's older brother.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC)
Officers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission