Ernest was educated at Corrig School, Kingstown, co Dublin; at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dublin; where he qualified M.R.C.S., and L & L.M. R.C.P.S.I in 1909; and at the Adelaide Hospital, Dublin, where he became House Surgeon. He was a keen all-round sportsman, and an International Rugby Footballer. Ernest joined the R.A.M.C. as Lieutenant on the 28th July 1911, being promoted to that rank on 28th January 1915. He went to India in October 1913; served in Burma, and was station at Meerut when war broke out. He went to France with the Garhwal Brigade, arriving at Marseilles on 26th September 1914, and was subsequently attached to the 20th Field Ambulance. He was later transferred to serve as medical officer to the 2nd Bn. Leicesterhshire Regiment. Ernest was awarded the Military Cross “For conspicuous gallantry on 22nd August 1915, near Fauquissart. A standing patrol 120 yards in front of our line was bombed by the enemy at about 10 p.m., the only notification being two loud bomb explosions. Captain Deane, without any knowledge of the enemy’s strength, at once got over the parapet and ran by himself to the spot under rifle and machine gun fire. Finding four wounded men he returned for stretchers and got them back into safety. This is not the first time that Captain Deane’s gallantry under fire has been brought to notice.” His colonel, congratulating him on the distinction, wrote: “An honour was never better deserved or more gallantly won.” A month later he was killed instantly by a bullet in the head whilst returning in the open from helping some wounded who were held up in German wire at Neuve Chapelle. After his death the colonel, though himself severely wounded, wrote to Ernest’s family: "He was the most gallant fellow I ever met, and we all loved him in the regiment, both officers and men. He was just a part of us, and the few of us left mourn his loss very deeply. We had a big battle on the 25th, and your son went out to try and help some wounded in and got killed. I believe his death was instantaneous, but I am not sure, as I was wounded myself, and had to be taken back. His body was recovered and was buried by our Padre, and I will give you exact location of cemetery afterwards. Everyone knew Deane as one of the bravest of the brave, and it was only the other day that he got one of the best deserved and gallantly won honours, when he was awarded the Military Cross.” The Senior Army Chaplain, Meerut Division wrote: “I have known him since he came to Meerut some 18 months ago, and remember how keen and pleased the dear lad was when he first received orders to proceed to the front. Since then he has had various duties, latterly with the 2nd Leicesters, and in all situations he has quitted himself like a true man. I know the regiment miss him dreadfully..... Your son was straight, fearless, indefatigable, always cheery, and never anything else but conscientious and gallant. I was present at his funeral at the cemetery in the Rue-du-Bacqueret on Sunday, the 26th inst.- the day after he died gloriously.” Ernest was the third son of Thomas Stanley and Aileen Annie Deane of 27 Cambridge Terrace, York Road, Kingstown, Co. Dublin.