John James Westrup (SN 4608) born at Dereel, was a married 23 year old labourer when he enlisted in Ballarat on July 19th 1915. Assigned to the 8th Infantry Battalion he embarked aboard the Themistocleson January 28th 1916. While in Egypt, in April, he was transferred to the 58th Battalion before moving to France in June. From August 1917 to January 1918, he served at the 15th Training Battalion in England. Aside from some minor illness he avoided serious harm but served so diligently that in March 1919 he was Mentioned in Despatches by General Sir Douglas Haig. He returned to Australia aboard the Orontes, disembarked at Melbourne on June 28th 1919 and was discharged on August 22nd.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as John J. Westrop.