Gnr William Atkinson (Lilydale), 120th Howitzer Battalion: On board the HMAT Aeneas. The following message was put in a bottle and dropped overboard -‘At sea. October 4, 1916. We are 26 hours out from Melbourne now. and I am well. Was a bit sea sick at first. Bob Gray and I are together here. Will finder please forward to my mother – Gunner W. Atkinson’. It was later found on the beach at Rendelshan, SA, by H Stewart who sent it on to his mother.
Norman Bedford (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a coach builder and enlists in the AIF, he is 20 years old.
Andrew Blythe (Mt Dandenong): Leaves his orchard at Mt Dandenong and enlists in the AIF, he is 24 years old.