Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ernest (Ernie) McInnes was born in 1895, at Towong, Victoria. At the time of his birth, his father, Alexander Douglas McInnes, (1867 to 1951) was 28 years of age, and his mother, Ada Blanch, nee Stockwell (1876 to 1962), was 19 years of age. Ernest had three brothers. Their names were William Henry (Harry) McInnes (1898 to 1981), Walter Claude McInnes, (1900 to 1908) and Frank McInnes ( ? to 1981).

On the 3 September, 1915, Ernest enlisted in the AIF (Australian Imperial Forces) at Melbourne, Victoria. He was given the service number 1600 and was put on strength with the 8th Light Horse Regiment.

Upon enlistment, Ernest was 5 foot 9.75 inches (179 cm) and weighed 10 stone 3 lbs (65kg). His chest measurement was shown as 36.5 inch (93 cm) His complexion was given as ruddy, he had blue eyes and light brown hair. Ernest’s records show that he had the distinctive marks of one scar on the right knee, moles on right underarm and vaccination marks on the right arm. His religious denomination was given as Presbyterian.

Ernest embarked on HMAT A11 Ascanius on the 10 November, 1915, sailing from Melbourne Victoria. The trip would take him across the Great Australian Bight to Fremantle, on to Colombo, in Ceylon, before finally disembarking at the southern end of the Suez Canal, in Egypt taking around about 6 long weeks.

Ernest had not been in Egypt long before he was admitted to hospital at Heliopolis, although there is no indication as to the reason he was admitted. Upon being discharged from hospital he was placed on strength with the 3rd Reserve Regiment before being transferred to the 4th Division Artillery and remustered as a Gunner.

In early June his unit proceeded to join the BEF (British Expeditionary Forces) in France, disembarking at Marseilles on the evening of the 9 October, 1916. While in action during late May of 1917, he received gunshot wounds in his right arm which also resulted in a number of fractured ribs. The wound was serious enough for him to be sent to England being admitted to the 13th General Hospital on the 31 May. Ernest wasn’t discharged from hospital until early October when he was given 7 days leave and told to report to Weymouth on the 16 October. He overstayed his leave by one day and in doing so was awarded five days confined to barracks and forfeited two days pay.

During 1918, Ernest served in France with his unit but was also admitted to hospital in England a number of times, suffering from ailments ranging from a sprained right knee to dysentery.

Ernest served in so many different units and the 8th Light Horse was only one of them. The 8th Light Horse was the first unit that he served in but he also served in the 45th Battery of the 12th Field Artillery Brigade. A camouflaged 18 pounder of the 45th Battery, 12th FAB is seen in the image above. Ernest was known as “The Handy Man” as he served in so many different units.

On the 13 April, 1919 , Ernest embarked on the SS Wyreema, returning to Australia some weeks later. He was finally discharged from the AIF on the 31 May, 1919. For his service during the war, he was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Records indicate that Ernest married Ethel Alma Philby (1903 to 1973) at Tumbarumba in New South Wales in 1921. During their marriage, they had three children. Their names were Silas Keith, Vernon John and Roy Ernest.

Ernest passed away on the 11 August, 1968, at Towong and was buried at Corryong, Victoria. He attended the school at Towong and lived in Towong as well. He took on a very hard and exciting life. Coming out of the war, then having three beautiful children must have been a massive treat to receive.

Extract from "Light Horsemen of the Upper Murray", Year 5 and 6 Project, Corryong College.

ERNEST McINNES (1874-1951) born at Towong VIC, son of Alexander and Eliza McInnes nee Hamilton. Ernest enlisted on September 3rd, 1915 as Private 1600, 12/8th Light Horse at Melbourne. After training at Seymour from September 6th to October 10th, he embarked on the Ascanius from Melbourne on November 16th. He was sent to Egypt and re-classified as Gunner, and was then sent on to France where he received a gun-shot wound in the right arm and several fractured ribs. After treatment in England he was soon marched into the 12th Army Brigade, Australian Field Artillery. back in France until he was listed for return to Australia at wars end. He embarked on the Wyuna on April 13th. He was discharged on July 25th, 1919 and awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.