Charles John Franks (SN 6338) born at Launceston Tasmania, was a 26 year old horse trainer when he enlisted in Melbourne on August 20th 1915. Assigned to the 10th Battery, 4th Field Artillery Brigade he embarked aboard the Wiltshire on November 18th . In January 1916, shortly after reaching Egypt, he was hospitalised with appendicitis. He came dangerously ill and had an emergency appendectomy. Even after the operation he had ongoing heath problems and was returned to Australia aboard the Itonus, disembarked at Melbourne on July 18th and was discharged ‘medically unfit’ on August 16th 1916. His record shows he re-enlisted shortly after his discharge for three months home service.

His brother Robert was killed in action in June 1917 and is also honoured with a tree in the Avenue.