Regimental Number: 2129061
Rank: Private
Branch: 43rd Battalion; 8th Battalion
Ernest was born in Ingelow, Manitoba on August 1, 1891. He came to the Peace River country in 1916 with his brother Will and a close friend, Charlie Ames. They arrived on June 18, 1916. All three men filed on land in the Bezanson area; Ernie’s land was located at 22-72-3-W6 and 15-72-3-W6. Ernie was drafted in January of 1918. On October 1, near the Berlonge Woods at Cambrai, France, he sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg. Ernie spent what remained of the war in England and was discharged on February 28, 1919 and returned to the Peace Country in March. During the winter of 1919-1920, he and the Ames brothers set up a sawmill at Moodie Crossing. On December 1, 1924, Ernie married Hazel Tealinda Shedin. The couple had three children. In 1938, Ernie and Hazel moved from their farm in Bezanson into Grande Prairie. They operated Ford’s Grocery Store on Richmond Avenue until their retired in 1965. Ernie died suddenly on August 29, 1975 after suffering a heart attack.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie, p. 339