Albert Richards (SN 596) born in Clunes, was a 26 year old labourer when he enlisted in Adelaide on August 26th 1914. Assigned to the 10th Infantry Battalion, he embarked aboard the Ascanius on October 20th. He suffered an ankle wound at Gallipoli in May 1915 but rejoined his unit two months later. Back in Egypt, after Gallipoli was abandoned, he was transferred to the 50th Battalion before moving to France in June 1916. From this point his service was dominated by Court Martial proceedings for being absent without leave for three months and for using insubordinate language to a superior officer. He then escaped from detention and was sentenced to further imprisonment. He was released in August 1918 and rejoined his unit only to be wounded slightly a month later. Despite his conduct record he was granted ‘1914 leave’ and returned to Australia aboard the Delta, disembarked at Melbourne on March 7th 1919 and was discharged on March 24th.

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