John Eva enlisted in the 8th infantry battalion on 19 August 1914. He was born in Ballarat and was a Clerk by trade. On May 25th 1915, he was wounded in the abdomen and was also separately hospitalised with jaundice, a septic wound to the leg and impetigo. He was evacuated to Mudros then to Egypt before rejoining his unit in France in 1916.

During fierce fighting in September 1917 he was again wounded, suffering shrapnel wounds to both knees, but during this battle his gallantry earned for him the Military Medal. His citation read: æDuring the attack on Polygon Wood on September 20th 1917, after the third objective was captured, Pte. Eva showed great initiative, determination and pluck in organising a Section of Rifle Grenadiers and in making an attack on a Strong Point in front of our line. His coolness and courage were instrumental in the capture of this Post which was a menace to our advance. Although wounded at the commencement of the operation he continued to lead his men until after the capture of the Strong Point.' He returned to Australia on the Port Hacking in January 1919 and was discharged in March.

Tree No. 126