Ernest enlisted on 2nd February 1910. He was 20 years and 9 months old, and was a labourer by trade. He was transferred to Army Reserve on 1st February 1913, from where he was mobilised, joining at Aldershot he was posted to serve with the 2nd Field Ambulance. He entered the war in France, with them, on 19th August 1914. On 4th September he was admitted into his unit, suffering with a Hernia. He was evacuated back to the UK, via No 9 General Hospital, arriving on 4th October 1914. He was then admitted into the 4th Scottish General Hospital. On recovering he was sent to serve with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, arriving there on 16th March 1915. On 10th January 1916 he was serving with No 17 General Hospital, who had appointed him acting Lance Corporal, without pay. He was admitted into hospital (PUO) on 31st July 1916, then was discharged and returned to his unit on 17th August. On 9th January 1917 he was admitted into hospital again - to No 21 General Hospital. On 4th July 1917 he was posted to serve with the 146th Field Ambulance. On 6th July 1918, he left the R.A.M.C. on transferring to serve with the Northamptonshire Regiment. He was the son of Wilfred Wilman and Mary Ellen Pullan of 3 Chatham Street, Halifax; and the husband of Elizabeth of 15 Upper Brunswick Street, Hopwood Lane, Halifax.