John Westlake Humphreys (SN 340) born in Ballarat, was a 19 year old postal employee when he enlisted in Melbourne on August 20th 1914. On October 19th he embarked aboard the Benalla. His service record does not indicate service at Gallipoli but from April 1916, as a driver with the 1st Division Train, he served with distinction in France. He was awarded a Military Medal 'for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst engaged in forward transport work near ANZAC RIDGE east of YPRES on 13th October, 1917. Sgt. HUMPHRIES and L/Cpl. HALL were the N.C.O.s. in charge of a convoy of 30 G.S. Wagons from the Divisional Train employed in conveying sleepers for road work from HELLFIRE CORNER to ANZAC. On arrival at ANZAC an unusual amount of enemy shelling was experienced and the fatigue party had taken over. To halt the convoy at destination until the fatigue party arrived would have caused great congestion in the rear of the column with the result of blocking all traffic and probably heavy casualties. Sgt. HUMPHRIES and L/Cpl. HALL with one Driver immediately acted with marked initative and under heavy shell fire worked hard personally unloading the wagons of their heavy beech sleepers and directing them to safety and thus relieving the congestion on the road and probably heavy casualties. Their disregard for personal safety and marked initiative set a splendid example to all.' After the war he returned home on submarine guard duty aboard the D28 and was discharged on February 16th 1919.