Robert John Dobson (SN 394) born in Ballarat, was a 20 year old farmer when he enlisted in Melbourne on August 19th 1914. Assigned to the 4th Light Horse Regiment, he embarked aboard the Wiltshire on October 19th and with the first ANZAC fleet sailed to Egypt. In May 1915 he was deployed to Gallipoli where, in August, he sustained a shrapnel wound to his thigh and was evacuated to England. Once recovered, in June 1916 he was moved to France where he was transferred to the 2nd Anzac Light Horse Regiment. His service then involved a number of short-term detachments to specialised units. He returned home on submarine guard duty aboard the Arawa, disembarked on November 17th 1918 and was discharged on January 17th 1919. He also enlisted to serve during World War 2 with the service number V1280.

His cousin James also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.