War Service: Ernest and his older brother Henry Emanuel Speedy, enlisted on the same day, 18 Jan 1916 at Blackboy Hill, WA. Ernest was aged 21 years 1 month. Henry embarked three months earlier than Ernest who embarked 15 Jul 1916 per HMAT Ajana from Fremantle, WA. He disembarked 01 Sep 1916 Plymouth, England. On 10 Sep 1916 he was awarded 168 hours detention at Perham Downs, England for using obscene language to an NCO, then 02 Nov 1916 he proceeded to France, joining the Base Depot at Etaples the next day and was transferred to 28th Battalion 14 Nov 1916. Ernest was taken on strength and reallocated 17 Nov 1916. Then on 21 Dec 1916, he was admitted with sore feet and cold to the 5th Australian Field Ambulance. Ten days later, on 31 Dec 1916, Ernest rejoined his battalion. On 16 Jan 1917, he was admitted to the 38th Casualty Clearing Station with trench feet and admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital 18 Jan 1917. On 02 Feb 1917, he was admitted to 2nd Convalescence
Depot in Rouen, France and moved to Etaples 08 Feb 1917. Ernest rejoined the battalion 07 Mar 1917. Three months later on 16 Jun 1917, Ernest was admitted to hospital with debility. He was transferred back to duty 30 Jun 1917 and rejoined his battalion 01 July 1917.
Killed in Action: 04 Oct 1917 in the Battle of Broodseinde part of the Third Battle of Ypres, Belgium where the Australians suffered 6,500 casualties. Ernest was 22 years old and has no known grave.
Memorial: Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium
Military Connections: Brother, Henry Emanuel Speedy, 1711, Private 51st Battalion, Returned to Australia 4 May 1917
Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal