Gunner Ernest Herstell was reported wounded and missing 29 May 1943 during operations with the 2nd SAS at Pantelleria, an island between Sicily and Tunisia (Operation Snapdragon). He was later presumed to have died of wounds and has no known grave. Son of Frank and Florence Herstell; husband of Florence Herstell, of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester whom he married early 1942.

In 1939 Ernest Maxwell Herstell was a Police Constable, single, and residing at 37 Cotham Vale, Bristol. He married Florence Irving at the beginning of 1942 and later volunteered for the Commandos. He is believed to have joined the 3rd Police Intake at the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre), Achnacarry.