Robert Maldon Barrett (SN 5042) born in Maldon, was a 22 year old grocer when he enlisted in Melbourne on December 29th 1915. He embarked aboard the Suffolk on April 1st 1916 and sailed to Egypt where he was transferred from the 5th to the 58th Infantry Battalion. He reached the battlefields of France in July where he was destined to be awarded a Military Medal ‘For marked gallantry and conspicuous devotion to duty as a Battalion Headquarters runner during attack by 58th Battalion on PERONNE on 2nd September 1918. He made many runs both to Front Line, neighbouring units and back to rear Battalion Headquarters, all the while exposed to heavy shelling in the town and machine gun fire in the direction of the front. In addition, he carried all the ammunition he could bear on trips up to the front line, or up to Battalion Headquarters from rear Battalion Headquarters as demands for ammunition kept coming in. On this, as on other previous occasions, his bravery and devotion to duty were an inspiring example to all ranks.' He returned to Australia aboard the Orontes, disembarked at Melbourne on June 28th 1919 and was discharged on August 14th.

His brother Walter also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.