Born in Allendale, Victoria and a labourer by occupation, Ernest Albert Dakin was 25 years and single when enlisted on the 4th of May 1915 in the 22nd Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 1663. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A64 'Demosthenes' on the 16th of July 1915. Disembarked at Alexandria, Alexandria on the 4th of January 1916; admitted sick to Hospital – feet trouble, Serapeum on the 27th of April 1916; transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis on the 10th of June 1916. Embarked for returned to Australia per 'Clan McGillivray' from Suez, Egypt owing to an old injury to left ankle on the 7th of August 1916 and disembarked at Melbourne on the 14th of July 1916. Discharged from the 3rd Military District on the 25th of October 1916. Tree No. 1565