Pte Thomas Kerr (Yering), 3^rd Pioneer Battalion: Is mentioned in despatches for work undertaken at the frontline on this day.

Gnr Percy Hyne(Lilydale), 8^th Field Artillery Battery: In a letter to his Mother – ‘We left Lark Hill on 20^th December, 1916 and arrived at Le Havre on December 31^st, 1916. After that we entrained for Bailleul on January 1^st, 1917 where we arrived the next day, after travelling 24 hours in cattle trucks. We went into action at Houplines, January 17, and stayed there about a month’.

Pte Mort Tait (Lilydale), 31^st Battalion: In a postcard to Kath Phillips, Lilydale – ‘I have often slept next to a pig sty in the billets, some of them can snore too. I am sending these cards to let you see how we live at times. I was in a place like this down at the Somme but old Frizty kicked me out of it, ha, ha. I am looking forward to the time when I shall get home again. It seems a long time now. I’ll bet the boys who left at first are tired of it’.

The following locals leave Australia bound for Europe on the RSM Omrah –

Dvr Herbert Jeeves (Mt Dandenong), 1^st Division Supply Company

Pte Alex McEwin (Lilydale), 4^th Division Signal Company

Pte George Reid (Lilydale), 4^th Wireless Squadron