English-born Ernest William Webb served in South Africa with the Royal Horse Artillery, receiving the QSA & KSA with seven bars. He took his discharge in South Africa and served with the Transvaal Police until 1908. He then migrated to New Zealand with his wife and took up a position with the Christchuch Fire Brigade (1909-1911). He then joined the Permanent Staff of the Defence Force, although he had resigned from this employment before the outbreak of World War One.

At the outbreak of WW1 Webb enlisted with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles. He served on Gallipoli and was invalided back to New Zealand at the end of 1915. He then was employed as an Instructor in New Zealand. Following his discharge Webb contined to serve with the Territorials (Canterbury Yeoman Cavalry.) until 1938 and at the time of his retirement in 1938. He died in Auckland in 1956.