Ernest joined the army in February 1917 and was sent to France in August of the same year, he was, at one time, Secretary of the Holy Trinity Sunday school and his father was sexton of the church. He worked at Williams, Curzon Street Mill prior to his enlistment and left a widow and two small children. He is buried within a few hundred yards of his brother Frank.

He was wounded on the 17th of April and died of his wounds just over 24 hours later. As his regiment were not involved in any major actions at this time it is likely that he was either hit by a shell or a sniper.

LOSS FOR HOLY TRINITY CHURCH (Burnley Express 4/5/1918)

From a chaplain’s letter it appears certain that Pte. Ernest Bushell, whose wife lives at 20 Lonsdale-street, Burnley, and his parents at 48 Accrington-road, Burnley, has died of wounds in a military hospital in France. It appears that Pte. Bushell, who belonged to the Highland Light Infantry (38830) was wounded on the 17th of April, and died of his wounds on the 19th . He joined the Army in February, 1917 and went out in August of the same year. He was 37 years of age. He was closely connected with Holy Trinity Church, of which his father is the sexton. He was at one time the secretary of the Holy Trinity Sunday School and was a member of the C.E.M.S. He was formerly employed at Williams Curzon-street Mill. His younger brother, Frank, has been in the Army (R.F.A.) for 2 1/2 years. Deceased, who leaves a widow, and two little children was well known and highly respected.