Philip Cyril Sherren was 23 years old, single and working as a clerk when he enlisted from Ballarat on 17th August 1914. He had been born in Birregurra. On 9th May 1915, at Gallipoli, Private Sherren reported to the Regimental Aid Post with a bayonet wound in his left foot. He was evacuated to a hospital ship offshore for treatment, and returned to his unit on 18th May 1915. On 28th July 1915 Lance Corporal Sherren was wounded for the second time. He was evacuated to Alexandria, Egypt, with gunshot wounds to his chest and buttocks. This was a much more serious wound and he was evacuated to Portland, UK., on 19th August 1915.

During his treatment he was examined by a Medical Board which recommended that he be returned to Australia as the chances of his recovery anytime soon were remote, and his return would free up a bed for another patient. Consequently on 11th March 1916 he embarked on the HMAT Suevic. By 22nd April he was in 5th Base Hospital in Melbourne. After a further Medical Board examination he was discharged as medically unfit for further military service on 17th June 1916.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Cyril P. Sherrin.