John Samuel Whidburn (SN 24) born at Daylesford, was a 37 year old widower, a butcher, when he enlisted in Ballarat on August 18th 1914. He trained with the Medical Corps before being assigned to the 2nd Field Ambulance. He embarked from Melbourne aboard the Wiltshire on October 19th and sailed to Egypt before serving right through the Gallipoli campaign. He was moved to France in late March 1916 but was continually troubled by myalgia and rheumatism. In November 1916 he was withdrawn to hospital in England before being returned to Australia. He was discharged ‘medically unfit’ on June 15th 1917.

His sister Lila also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.