Ernest enlisted on 10th February 1908. He was 27 years old, and was a Bricklayer by trade. He entered the war in France on 12th September 1914, as part of the Regimental Medical Officer's team for the 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment. On 2nd May 1915 he was admitted into the 8th Field Ambulance suffering with Psoriasis. He was transferred to the 6th Divisional Rest Station on 7th May, but evacuated to No 1 Canadian Stationary Hospital two days later, on the 9th. The following day he was evacuated back to England on the hospital ship "Brighton". On 23rd November 1915 he was sent to Egypt with 'BB' Reinforcements. He joined No 18 Sanitary Section for duty on 6th December 1915. On 18th April 1916 he was appointed the rank of acting Corporal but was reverted back to his permanent rank of Private on 3rd May 1917. On 10th July 1918 he entrained at Taranto, with reinforcements from Egypt to go to France. He joined the Cyclists Base Depot at Rouen on 17th July, however the following day he was admitted into No 11 Stationary Hospital and evacuated back to England. On 26th July 1918 he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. He continued to serve in the UK until 9th February 1920 when he was discharged from the Colours.