Born in Ballarat, Victoria and a Watchmaker by trade, Joseph Bickart was 19 years and single when enlisted on the 8th of July 1915 in the 2nd Field Ambulance, 15th Reinforcement, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 9387. Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 'Ulysses' on the 1st of March 1916. On the 10th of October 1917 was admitted to hospital sick – Tonsillitis, Etaples. From the 14th of September 1918 to 17th of October 1918 admitted to Hospital sick – dysentery in France, Rouen and Havre. On the 22nd of March proceeded to England from Belgium for non-military Employment and was listed as returned to Australia on the 19th of August 1919. Returned to Australia per A 'Ajana' on the 9th of October 1919 with the Termination of Period of Enlistment and discharged on the 3rd of December 1919 from the 3rd Military District. Tree No.1635