Thomas Ernest Welsh was born in Stawell and was a Bootmaker in Ballarat East when he enlisted in the 6th Battalion, 23rd Reinforcement on October 7th 1916 at the age of 21. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Hororata on November 23rd 1916. He reached England in late January 1917 then moved over to France in May. On October 5th he was wounded in action, suffering a severe gunshot wound to his left arm. He was immediately evacuated to hospital in France, and then to England where his arm was amputated at the elbow. Consequently, he was returned to Australia for discharge, reaching Melbourne in November 1918.

His brothers Stanley and Leonard also served in the AIF and are honoured with a tree in the Avenue.