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Ernest Francis Douglass - Information

Ernest was born in Denham Court on the 28th of October 1880 to George and Sarah Douglass. In the early 1900s, the family relocated to Castle Hill. Ernest then got married to Edith Helena, tying the knot in Liverpool in 1910. They resided at Holmwood on Percival Rd in Smithfield, as Ernest worked as a chairman. He had gained military experience serving with the Parramatta Lancers for 5 years. When Ernest was 35, he decided to join the AIF with his younger brother, Alfred. They signed up at the Royal Showground Camp on the 3rd of October 1916. They were then made Drivers with the Engineer Reinforcements. They were sent overseas from Sydney onboard the HMAT Suevic on the 11th of November 1916.

On the 30th of January 1917, Ernest and Alfred stepped off the ship in Devonport and were marched into Perham Downs. In mid May, they were transported to France, where they joined the 13th Field Company Engineers in June. The following month, Ernest said goodbye to his brother, being transferred to the 4th Signal Company. Ernest aided military operations with providing communication between headquarters and their units. In September, he was admitted to hospital with a carbuncle on his back and neck. In September 1918, Ernest was joined by Alfred when he was transferred to his unit. In 1919, Ernest was shipped back to England to Sutton Veny Base, luckily granted leave in February. The next month, he boarded the City of Poona for his journey back to Australia. He was discharged and returned to Edith.