Ernest Hayles (1845) was a volunteer Fire Brigade officer. In the Isle of Wight County Press dated 18 February 1893, was a report about the Newport Volunteer Fire Brigade as follows: "The members of the newly formed Volunteer Fire Brigade have, with commendable spirit and zeal, entered on a systematic course of drill in order to qualify themselves for the efficient discharge of the important duties they have undertaken". Among the elected members was E. Hayles. On Saturday 17th September 1896, the Isle of Wight County Press reported details of the Newport Volunteer Fire Brigade's Annual Meeting. The Brigade had completed 3 years and 7 months service. They had attended 23 fires, 7 of which occured in the past year. The Brigade had had 45 drills during the year and First Engineer Hayles had attended 21 and had been sick for 3 drills. During the year, thanks to the Mayor and the Corporation, a Watchroom had been provided.

The obituary in the Isle of Wight County Press read: "DEATH OF A FIRE BRIGADE OFFICER. - The death took place on Sunday last of Mr Ernest Hayles, a well known resident of Newport, who, at the time of his death, was caretaker at the Newport Volunteer Fire Brigade Station and was for some years the First Engineer of that Brigade and also formerly a member of the Brighton Brigade, being a very smart officer. He was 57 years of age and leaves a widow and two young children, for the whom the greatest sympathy is felt. The funeral took place at Newport Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. At the request of the deceased's relatives the Fire Brigade did not attend. The Mayor (Mr. Harry Shepherd,T.C.) was amongst those present, and several members of the Earl Yarborough Lodge of Oddfellows, of which deceased was a member, also attended, including Bros. Frank King, N.G., B.S. Gould, V.G., and H. Lower (Lecture Master), the last named reading the Oddfellows' service at the graveside. The Rev. W.A.H. Babidge (Bible Christian) officiated.