58th Infantry Battalion
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John Martin O’Dea (SN 4559) born at Malmsbury, was a 27 year old engine driver when he enlisted in Melbourne on September 9th 1915. He embarked aboard the Themistocles, reached Suez in late February 1916 then on to England. In September 1916 he joined the 58th Infantry Battalion in France and managed to negotiate the war without suffering serious illness or injury. He returned to Australia aboard the Orontes, disembarked at Melbourne on June 28th 1919 and was discharged on September 7th.
His brother Thomas also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.
