William Lyle Cochran (SN 8032A) was born in Ballarat where he enlisted on July 22nd 1915. Single and 30 years old, he was working as a share broker when he joined the 18th Australian Army Service Corps as a driver. His unit embarked from Melbourne aboard the Bakara in November. In April the following year he was promoted to Corporal and spent much of the war in logistic support in France including several stints as Acting Sergeant, first with the 18th A.S.C, then the 5th Divisional Train. He was transferred back to England towards the end of the war where he was finally officially promoted to Sergeant after the war ended. He returned to Australia on board the Kildonian Castle, disembarking in May 1919, and was discharged on June 29th 1919.

His cousin William Bennie Cochran also served in the AIF.

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