Ernest Pedley was born in February 1893 in Willenhall, a market town located between Wolverhampton and Wallsall in England. The only son in six children for Thomas Pedley and Sarah Starkey, he worked as a labourer on the family farm, most likely assisting with the production of milk.
In mid-1913 Ernest migrated to Western Australia, possibly attracted by the State government initiative that offered passage, land and support to farm workers. On settling in the Wheatbelt town of Narrogin, he found employment as a dairyman and when the weekend rolled around played football for the Narrogin club in the regional league, which by 1914 had representation from six towns.
Ernest enlisted as a Private in the 11th Battalion in January 1915, just three days after Narrogin forward Hugh Primrose signed up. The footballing teammates travelled to Egypt on board HMAT Argyllshire ahead of their early June landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
Ernest and Hugh were thrown straight into the action, defending the front line around Quinn’s Post. The 11th Battalion participated in the Battle of Lone Pine in the late afternoon of 6 August, when both Ernest and Hugh were wounded.
Ernest sustained shrapnel wounds to the legs and died later that evening at the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station.
Hugh’s injuries required the amputation of an arm and his return to Australia.