Ernest was educated at the Llanelly National and Intermediate Schools; at Llandovery College; and at St. David’s College, Lampeter, where he was in training for holy orders on the outbreak of war. In August 1914 he enlisted as No.13279 in The Welch Regiment, but was later transferred to the R.A.M.C. He entered the war in Egypt on the 5th July 1915. On 12th August, the unit war diary recorded Ernest as being wounded and taken to the Dressing Station but died the same night. He was originally buried at Walden’s Point, Anzac, but today lies in 7th Field Ambulance Cemetery, Anzac. He was the third son of Thomas Rhys Davies and Margaret Ann (née Thomas) Davies of Emlyn House, Llanelly.