Thomas George Bennetts (SN 5036) born at Ballarat, was a 22 year old labourer when he enlisted in Ballarat on January 18th 1916. He trained with the 8th Infantry Battalion before embarking aboard the Suffolk on April 1st. He was transferred first to the 60th Battalion and then the 15th Machine Gun Company before reaching France in June. In March 1917 he suffered a severe gunshot wound to his shoulder and was evacuated to England, rejoining his unit in October. At the war’s end he returned to Australia aboard the Port Melbourne, disembarked on August 20th 1919 and was discharged on October 12th.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Thomas G. Bennett.