James Pearce Scarff (SN 5247) born in Ballarat, was a 25 year old builder when he enlisted in Melbourne on July 6th 1915. He sailed for active service aboard the Anchises, reached Egypt in April 1916 and then on to England. His early weeks in England saw him hospitalised first with synovitis and then with mumps. In June 1916 he crossed to France to serve with the 14th Infantry Battalion. On September 28th 1917 he was seriously wounded when a shell burst fractured his femur. He was evacuated to hospital in England and then returned to Australia aboard the Osterley, reaching Melbourne on April 15th 1918. He was discharged as medically unfit on May 23rd 1918.

His brother Edward also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as James P. Scarf.