William James Watkins (SN 6040) born in Ballarat, was a 21 year old draper when he enlisted in Melbourne on July 5th 1915. On January 20th 1916 he embarked from Sydney aboard the Runic and sailed to Egypt. In June he moved on to France where he served with the 15th Field Company Engineers. In September 1917 he was evacuated to hospital after suffering a wound to his hand. He was able to rejoin his unit in November and avoided further injury during his service. In January 1919, after the fighting had ceased, he was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre. He returned home aboard the Durham, disembarked on July 21st 1919 and was discharged on September 12th.

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