Born in Kerang, Victoria, Dave Joseph Aubrey was 19 years and single when enlisted on the 8th of July 1915 in the 29th Battalion, Machine Gun Section, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 86. Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on the 10th of November 1915. Admitted to the 8th Field Ambulance on the 8th of April 1916 for Diarrhoea and Vomiting and transferred to the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station on the 15th of April 1916. Appointed Sadler and attached to Company Headquarters, Moascar. Promoted to be Lance Corporal, Field on the 18th of August 1916. On the 10th of August 1917 was admitted to hospital sick with dislocated carpal bone right hand. Embarked for return to Australia on the 15th of April 1918 per A74 'Marathon' for discharge for Hypertrophy of heart from England. Disembarked on the 12th of June 1918. Discharged from the 3rd Military District, 8th Machine Gun Coy on the 19th of July 1918. Tree No. 1676