Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Warner, an agricultural labourer, born 1847 in Great Dalby, Leicestershire and his wife Ann Warner (nee Beadle, married in the 4th quarter of 1874 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1854 in Barsby, Leicestershire. Ernest was born in the 4th quarter of 1887 in New Basford, Nottinghamshire, and was baptised in March 1891 in the Parish Church, Great Dalby, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Emily, a schoolgirl, born 1879 in Great Dalby, Susan Alice, a schoolgirl, born 1881 in Alderwasley, Belper, Derbyshire, Clara, born 1889 in New Basford and was baptised in March 1891 in the Parish Church, Great Dalby and Herbert, born in the 1st quarter of 1891 in Great Dalby and was baptised in March 1891 in the Parish Church, Great Dalby, in April 1891 the family were residing as lodgers in Dalby Magna, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Ernest was absent from the family home in Dalby Magna, residing there was his father, a general carter, his mother and siblings, Clara, Herbert, Nellie, born 1894, Joe, born in the 3rd quarter of 1895 and Lizzie, born 1897, the latter three siblings were all born in Great Dalby, Ernest was employed as a domestic groom and was residing as a servant at The Vicarage, Little Dalby, Leicestershire. In the 2nd quarter of 1905 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, Ernest’s father died aged 59. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Great Dalby, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Nellie, a domestic servant, Joe, a farm worker and Lizzie, also residing in the family home were Ernest’s niece Laura May Pawley, a schoolgirl, born 1899 in Leicester and nephew, Arthur Leslie Warner, born 1910 in Buxton, Derbyshire. Ernest’s two younger brothers also died, Joe died of wounds received in action on the 7th April 1916 and Herbert was killed in action on the 9th September 1916. Ernest was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
On Friday June 21st 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “GREAT DALBY.” – DEATH OF TWO LOCAL SOLDIER’S. – Official intimation has been received during the past week of the death in action, on the 27th May, of R.S.M. John Burrows, M.M., and of Sapper Ernest Warner, of bronchial pneumonia at the 5th General Hospital, Rouen, on Sunday last. R.S.M. Burrows, M.M., went out to France in October, 1914. At Hooge in August 1915, later in the same year at Ypres, and on five other occasions he won special recognition for coolness and gallantry, and had been awarded the military medal. He had been out of hospital only a few days, where he had been suffering from gas, when he was killed in action. Of a quiet, unassuming disposition, he was held in high esteem in the parish, and his death has occasioned widespread regret and sympathy for his widow and other relatives. Sapper E. Warner has been out in France some months, and his sad death in hospital from bronchial pneumonia has caused much regret in the village. In his death his widowed mother has now lost all her three sons in the war. Much sympathy is felt for her and the other members of the family.
On Friday June 28th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “GREAT DALBY.” – MEMORIAL SERVICE. – On Sunday last a memorial service was held at the Wesleyan Church, for Sapper Ernest Warner who died on the 16th inst. at the 5th General Hospital, Rouen, of bronchial pneumonia. He was the last of three brothers, sons of Mrs. Arthur Warner, Great Dalby, who have lost their lives in the war. The Rev. W. Hoad, of Melton Mowbray, conducted the service. The lessons were the 73rd Psalm, and the 1st Cor. 15ch. 14 verse. A most appropriate sermon from Job 14, 14 “If a man die, shall he live again?” conveyed sympathy and comfort to the mourners, and the deceased’s favourite hymns. “Nearer my God to Thee.” and “Peace, perfect peace,” were sung.