Mr Ernest Hamilton was born at 39 Brook Row, Bootle, Lancashire, England on 31 July 1886 and baptised in St Mary's Church, Bootle on 29 August that same year.

He was the son of James Hamilton (b. 1850), a clerk, and Anne Dartnell (b. 1854). His father was Scottish and his mother Liverpudlian and they had married in Liverpool in 1872.

His known siblings were: Ann Dartnell (b. 1873), Janet (1877-1952, later Mrs Andrew Latimer), Joseph (b. 1879), Catherine (b. 1881), Arthur (b. 1887), Christina (1889-1969, later Mrs John James Lawrenson) and Edith (b. 1891).

Ernest first appears on the 1891 census living at 39 Brook Road, Walton, Liverpool with his parents and siblings; his father was then described as a commissioner's agent. The family were at the same address for the 1901 census with Ernest then being described as a merchant's office boy but his father was absent, having recently passed away in early 1901.

On the 1911 census Ernest is listed as living at 5 Shirley Road, Southampton, Hampshire (a lodgings address) and his profession is given as ship's steward; also lodging at the same address were his future Titanic counterparts Wilfred Seward and Frank Morris. 

Ernest was reportedly engaged to be married to a woman from Shirley named Rose¹ but her identity has yet to be ascertained. 

Hamilton was on board the Titanic for her delivery trip from Belfast to Southampton and when he signed-on again in Southampton on 4 April 1912 he gave his address as 5 Shirley Road, Southampton. His previous ship had been the Olympic and as a first class steward he received monthly wages of £3, 15s. Also serving aboard was his brother-in-law Andrew Latimer, the chief steward who was married to his sister Janet. 

Ernest Hamilton died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

Ernest's mother Anne continued to live in Liverpool and she died there in 1925.

Ernest Hamilton is mentioned on the family headstone in Anfield cemetery Liverpool (section C/E 9, plot 684).