Thomas Ivor Higgins MM (SN 20382) born at Sebastopol, was a 23 year old teacher at Colac Agricultural High School when he enlisted in Melbourne on July 15th 1915. He trained with the Australian Medical Corps before he embarked aboard the Medic on May 20th 1916 and sailed to England where he was posted to the 8th Field Artillery Brigade as a stretcher bearer. The highlight of his service was the award of a Military Medal. ’On 24th September 1917, at HALFWAY HOUSE, near YRES, when told there were several casualties amongst English Artillery Drivers about half a mile away, there being no stretcher bearers available, these two men [HIGGINS and 21917 R.A. BARRY] took stretchers, dressed a severely wounded man and applied a tourniquet, thereby probably saving the man's life. Collecting two more men, they formed a stretcher party to carry this man back to HALFWAY HOUSE. While doing so the enemy opened a Barrage on HALFWAY HOUSE, but these two men took the stretcher themselves and got the man to the Dressing Station at HALFWAY HOUSE successfully. They then returned through the Barrage and brought in several cases from the 30th Battery. This was done under very heavy hostile shell fire of all calibres from 4.2" to 8", these men displaying an utter disregard for personal danger. The foregoing is only one instance of similar fine work these men have performed during the past few days.' He served in several severe battle areas but managed to avoid major physical harm. He returned to Australia aboard the Karagola, disembarked at Melbourne on June 12th 1919 and was discharged on July 27th.

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