Ernest Willie Mills was born in Melton on 12th June 1884, youngest son to William and Susannah (née Pettit). The family were living in The Street, Melton, in 1901 and Ernest was a saddle and harness maker’s apprentice. By 1911 though, Ernest had left home and moved away from the village to work as a saddler in Plaistow, East London.

On 8th December 1914, Ernest enlisted in the Army Service Corps, joining them as a saddler. He was posted to Salonika and arrived there on 23rd March 1915 where he remained with the Army Service Corps until 4th July 1918. After which, he was compulsorily transferred to the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, and continued to serve as a saddler. Ernest was discharged from the services as being “no longer physically fit for war service” having contracted malaria while serving abroad.

He returned to live on The Street, Melton, having been awarded the Silver War Badge upon discharge. He also received the 1914-15 Star and the British War and Victory Medals.

In 1939, Ernest was living at 67 The Street, Melton (since demolished), with his widowed sister Anna Dunnett. At that time, he worked as a barman/waiter. Ernest died on 5th October 1952 in Melton.