Vincent Black (Coldstream): Leaves his family’s property in Coldstream and enlists in the Australian Light Horse, he is 26 years old. His older brother Harry had already joined the AIF the year before.

Herbert Jeeves (Mt Dandenong): Leaves his job as a motor driver and enlists in the AIF, he is 21 years old.

Sgt John Hogg (Wandin), 7th Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from influenza.

Thomas Hogg (Wandin), 24th Battalion: Leaves his family’s property in Wandin and his job as a linesman and enlists in the AIF, he is 30 years old. His younger brother Herbert would also enlist in the AIF in a few days’ time. Frank Tait (Mt Dandenong): Leaves his job as a carpenter and enlists in the AIF, he is 28 years old.

James Smith (Olinda): Leaves his job as a labourer and enlists in the AIF, he is 28 years old.

Pte Ernest Bridgewater (Seville): After three months training at Broadmeadows and a month in a convalescent home, he is discharged as medically unfit as a result of a vasomotor instability. Bertie Blashki (Lilydale): The grandson of Polish immigrants, he leaves his job as a commercial traveller and enlists in the AIF, he is 23 years old.

Cpl Leslie Jerrams (Lilydale), 1st Australian Wireless Squadron: While serving in the Mesopotamia campaign, he is admitted to hospital suffering from malaria.

Herbert Hogg (Wandin): Leaves his family’s property in Wandin and enlists in the AIF, he is 26 years old. His older brother, Thomas, had already enlisted a few days before.

Trp Arthur Rouget (Wandin), 13th Light Horse Regiment: From his diary (France) –‘We go north to Abecele. While here they decide that they will build stables for the horses for the winter with brick floors, so a party of us were detailed to proceed to Ypres to pick up the best bricks from among the ruins and load the wagons when they come up at night. We do a bit

Pte Norman Pontin (Lilydale) 14th Battalion: In camp in England. In a letter to his fiancée Alice Huston of Lilydale and her family – ‘Just a line to let you know I can find a little time to drop an occasional word to my other friends in Lilydale. Tho it isn’t for want of thinking about you, as you may guess, those thoughts can be nothing but pleasant; for you

Sgt John Casson (Kilsyth), 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column: Dies in hospital in England as a result of a brain tumour. He is 22 years old and is buried in his family’s grave at Willesden New Cemetery, Willesden, England. Dvr Leslie Coppin (Kilsyth), 2nd Division Ammunition Column: Arrives in Australia from Europe on the HT Marama for further treatment for his gastritis. Thomas Brown (Olinda): Leaves his job as a labourer and

Pte Thomas Geddes (Wandin), 1st Remount Unit: After spending the past ten months in hospitals in Egypt suffering from various ailments, he is discharged as medically unfit and sent home to Australia on the HS Westalia. Oliver Matthews (Yering): Leaves his job as a labourer and enlists in the AIF, he is 35 years old. Florian Deshamps (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a grazier and enlists in the AIF, he

Capt James Rowan (Olinda), Australian Army Medical Corps: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Barunga. The following locals leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Port Lincoln- Pte Ernest James (Gruyere), 2nd Pioneer Battalion Pte Walter Leach (Gruyere), 2nd Pioneer Battalion Pte Gilbert Hogg (Wandin), 37th Battalion Pte Harry Moore (Lilydale), 46th Battalion: This is his second trip overseas, the first was in 1915 but he was sent

The following locals leave Australia bound for Europe on the SS Port Melbourne – Pte Malcolm Bethune (Seville), 3rd Pioneer Battalion Pte Charles Dorrington (Montrose),3rd Pioneer Battalion Pte William Jacob (Mooroolbark),3rd Pioneer Battalion Pte Joseph Keeley Jnr (Mooroolbark),3rd Pioneer Battalion Pte Thomas Kerr (Yering),3rd Pioneer Battalion Pte Frank Muirson (Lilydale), 50th Battalion

David Snell (Wandin): Leaves his job as a printer and enlists in the AIF, he is 21 years old.

Michael White (Lilydale): Leaves his farm at Lilydale and enlists in the AIF, he is 38 years old. Alex McEwin (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a postal assistant and enlists in the AIF, he is 23 years old.

Harold Wright (Mooroolbark): Leaves his orchard in Mooroolbark and enlists in the AIF, he is 22 years old. William Guillerme (Lilydale): Enlists in the AIF for a second time, he had been discharged as medically unfit the year before because of his poor eyesight.

Sgt Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: In France. In his diary – ‘Still raining and bitterly cold. Fearful shellfire last night in the dark, we fall into shell holes half full of water, up to our knees in mud everywhere, I haven’t been dry for days. Our food is short and what we get is cold, cooks can’t keep a fire alight’. The following locals leave Australia bound for

Air Mechanic Percy Clements (Lilydale), No 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps: In camp in Egypt. In a letter to his father in Lilydale – ‘We are still in Egypt, and it is now six months since we arrived, so you can guess we are quite sick of the country of sand, heat, and filth; also its inhabitants. The ‘Gippoes’, as we call them, are a very dirty race and we

Pte Mort Tait (Lilydale), 31st Battalion: Is wounded in action, shell shock, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Edward Gray (Seville): Leaves his family’s orchard in Seville and enlists in the AIF, he is 23 years old. His older brother, Ebenezer Gray, had enlisted the year before. This was his second attempt at enlisting, in November 1915 he had been rejected as being medically unfit because he had fractured his

Edward Barratt (Olinda): Leaves his job as a joiner and enlists in the AIF, he is 24 years old and married. His younger brother Percy had enlisted the year before.

Sgt Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: In France. In his diary – ‘At 9am this morning we moved up to the advance stations in blinding rain. We are just in Delville Wood, the conditions are absolutely indescribable, the whole place is one mass of shell holes and the mud is knee deep. In this we are working carrying stretchers, two men to one stretcher, the artillery is awful’.

Ernest Le Page (Seville): Leaves his job as a labourer at Seville and enlists in the AIF, he is 32 years old. This is his second attempt; he was rejected the first time as being medically unfit.

Pte Oliver Matthews (Yering): Is admitted to hospital at Broadmeadows not feeling well, it later turns out to be emphysema.

Pte Benjamin Gibson (Kilsyth), 23rd Battalion: Is wounded in action, shrapnel wound to head and buttocks, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Pte Levi Trayford (Lilydale), 24th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to right leg, and is evacuated to hospital in England.

L/Cpl Wilfred Tucker DCM (Mt Dandenong), 7th Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital suffering from myalgia.

Spr Harry Linacre (Seville), 6th Field Company Engineers: Is admitted to hospital in France suffering from bronchitis. Pte Charles Clegg (Wandin), 51st Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Argyllshire.

2nd Lieut Harold Manders (Wandin), 2nd Pioneer Battalion: After a gas attack while in the front line, he is evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station suffering from gastritis and a nervous breakdown as a result of gas poisoning. L/Cpl Michael Upton (Yering), 6th Machine Gun Company: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to right leg, and is evacuated to hospital in England. His leg is later amputated below the knee. Harry

Pte Francis Hughes (Lilydale), 8th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to the face, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Cpl Archie Kilfoyle (Mooroolbark), 31st Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in England suffering from trench feet. Cpl Arthur Chapman (Wandin), 13th Field Artillery Brigade: Is charged with being drunk while in charge of a gun pit. An enquiry that is later held charges him with 12 months

Pte James Clegg (Wandin), 46th Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in England suffering from influenza.

L/Cpl Cyril Gregan (Olinda), 23rd Battalion: Is admitted to hospital in England suffering from dysentery.

Pte Leslie Farndon (Mt Dandenong), 23rd Battalion: Is wounded in action, shrapnel wound to the right leg, and is evacuated to hospital in England. He is awarded the Military Medal for his actions on this day. His recommendation states: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action near Flers on 14th November, 1916, as Battalion runners to the front line and also as guides to carrying parties. Their coolness in action and their

Pte William Clark (Lilydale), 7th Battalion: Is admitted to hospital in England suffering from a collapsed left lung.

Sgt Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: In France. In his diary – ‘This morning, on getting out of bed, we were met with a sight that astonished us, it had been snowing all night, everything looked beautiful but fearfully cold. We marched out of Buire at 10am in blinding rain and stood shivering in it for three hours on the side of the road waiting for motor buses. These

Pte Richard Goodall (Gruyere), 46th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to the head, and is evacuated to hospital in England.

Pte Frederick Brierty (Lilydale), 2nd Remount Unit: Arrives in Australia from Egypt on the HT Vestalia to be discharged as a result of his unit being demobilised. He later re-enlists. Lt Wilmot Stephens (Lilydale), 57th Battalion: Arrives in Australia from Egypt on the HT Armadale to be discharged, services no longer required. He later enlists in the New Zealand Forces.

Pte Duncan St Leger (Coldstream), 14th Australian General Hospital: Is admitted to hospital in Egypt suffering from diaphragmatic pleurisy. Robert Jenkins (Gruyere): Leaves his job as a driver and enlists in the AIF, he is 27 years old and married. Claude Pitt (Mt Evelyn): Leaves his job as a bricklayer and enlists in the AIF, he is 22 years old.

Pte Barney Gilson (Lilydale), 14th Battalion: Marries an English girl in England. She would later return to Australia as a war bride. The following locals leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Hororata- Pte Nolan Footit (serving under the name John Willis),(Gruyere), 2nd Pioneer Battalion Pte James Smith (Olinda), 2nd Pioneer Battalion Gnr Frederick Bunt (Wandin), 21st Howitzer Brigade Gnr Leonard Bunt (Wandin), 21st Howitzer Brigade Pte Hugh Comans

Pte Robert Jeeves (Montrose), 58th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to left thigh, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Arthur Roger (Silvan): Leaves his family’s orchard at Silvan and enlists in the AIF, he is 27 years old.

Pte Thomas Goodall (Lilydale), 24th Battalion: In the front line, France. In a letter to his younger brother – ‘I see you are getting on well with the farming, I suppose you will be head boss soon, especially as you are leaving school. I am quite well again now and back in camp. I have had a good time lately, Geo Smith from the Glen is here in this camp,

Gnr Clifford Jackson (Lilydale), 5th Field Artillery Battery: While on board the HMAT Hororata he throws a bottle over the side with the following note: ‘On Troopship A 20. We are having a beautiful trip, and at present it is a glorious night. Have just finished a good sing song round the piano. Passed a Red Cross hospital ship returning this afternoon at 5.15 o’clock. It was about six miles

Cpl David Ogilvy (Seville), 60th Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from influenza and pneumonia.

Pte William Tait (Mt Dandenong), 29th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to the right arm, and is evacuated to hospital in England. His arm would later be amputated.

Pte Alexander Bonney (Lilydale), 11th Battalion: Arrives in Australia from Europe on the HT Karoola to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of wounds received in action.

Pte Joseph Keeley Snr (Mooroolbark), 23rd Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from rheumatism.

Dvr Ernest Gilbert (Yering), 8th Field Artillery Brigade: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from scabies.

Pte Thomas Senior (Seville), 1st Remount Unit: Arrives in Australia from Egypt on board the HT Ayrshire. He is to be discharged as medically unfit, suffering from deafness and varicose veins.

Pte Harry Duck (Seville): While in training at the Seymour Military Camp he is hospitalised suffering from both measles and gastritis, a condition he had before enlisting. Spr Joseph Sies (Wandin), 2nd Field Company Engineers: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from bronchitis. Sr Alicia Kelly (Mt Dandenong), Australian Army Nursing Service: Arrives in France and reports for duty at the 32nd Casualty Clearing Station. She would

Trp Arthur Rouget (Wandin), 13th Light Horse Regiment: In France. From his diary –‘A small party of us were sent straight to be attached to the 4th Division to carry despatches to various brigades. Not the best job as the roads were very bad for the horses and we were poorly fed, four of us messing together and it costing nearly 10/- a week for food that we could buy

Pte William Jackson (Kilsyth), 23rd Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from influenza. Nurse Dorothy Moroney (Lilydale), Australian Army Nursing Service: Is seconded to work in the war hospital at Poona, India. Pte John Albrey (Seville), 2nd Pioneer Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Medic.

Pte Wilfred Yeaman (Montrose), 31st Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from influenza. Pte William Johnston (Wandin): Soon after he enlisted and was sent to the Broadmeadows Camp, he ended up in hospital suffering from sciatica. He spent the next nine months in hospitals and convalescent homes until the military authorities finally deemed him medically unfit and discharged him.

Pte John Thomson (Mt Evelyn), 58th Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from trench feet. Pte John Johnston (Wandin): At Royal Park Camp he is discharged from the AIF for desertion. He had gone absent without leave on November 23rd and hadn’t been seen since. A Court of Enquiry held on this day rules that he be declared a deserter and struck off the list.

Trp Vincent Black (Coldstream), Camel Corps: Leaves Australia on the HMAT Vestalia bound for Egypt.

Pte Robert Shell (Lilydale), 21st Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in England suffering from trench feet. The following locals leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Medic- Pte Herbert Hogg (Wandin), 14th Battalion Pte Claude Pitt (Mt Evelyn), 37th Battalion Pte Thomas Telson (Mt Evelyn), 37th Battalion Pte Arthur Roger (Silvan), 39th Battalion Pte Frank Tait (Mt Dandenong), 57th Battalion Pte Edward Gray (Seville), 58th Battalion Pte

Pte Daniel Bowen (Lilydale), 14th Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in England suffering from scabies.

Trp Albert Walker (Montrose), 8th Light Horse: While stationed at Kantara, Egypt, he transfers to the Australian Flying Corps.

Walter Boys (Seville): Leaves his Aunt and Uncle’s orchard, ‘Woodbury’, in Seville, where he had lived and worked since he was two months old, and enlists in the Australian Light Horse. He is 30 years old and married with two children. His stepson, 18 year old Alexander Mathews, had enlisted six months earlier, also in the Australian Light Horse, and both would serve together in the 8th Light Horse Regiment.

Cpl Herbert Mackin (Lilydale), 7th Mobile Veterinary Section:  While in Egypt he transfers to the 4th Camel Regiment, Camp Corps.

Sgt Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from trench fever. Spr Ernest Rae (Mooroolbark), 1st Divisional Signal Company: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in England suffering from severe bronchitis. Trp Allen Mounsey (Seville), 9th Light Horse Regiment: During the attack on the village of Maghdaba, near the Palestine border, he is wounded in action, gunshot wound to the

Pte Robert Lawlor (Coldstream), 22nd Battalion: Writing to his family in Coldstream he states: ‘I fired my very first shot of the Great War on Christmas Day 1916 with a Lewis Gun’. Pte Charles Mortomore (Lilydale), 37th Battalion: Is awarded the Military Medal for his actions on this night. His recommendation states: ‘At Armentieres on the night 25th/26th December, 1916, while acting as a scout, he displayed great daring in

Pte Harry Duck (Seville): Hospitalised with gastritis at the Seymour Military Camp since December 8th, his condition hasn’t improved and he is moved to the Military Rest Home, Macleod.

Pte Arthur Overton (Wandin), 23rd Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to the head, and is evacuated to hospital in England. He would not return to his unit. Pte Henry Holbrook (Montrose), 8th Battalion: Arrives in Australia from Europe on the HMAT Wiltshire. He is to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of suffering from shell shock which has also created a facial paralysis. Pte Phillip Lithgow