Howard Victor Besemeres (SN 17A) was an 18 year old motor mechanic from Lydiard Street Ballarat when he enlisted in February 1916. He embarked three months later, on May 27th, aboard the Ascanius, attached to the 39th Battalion. In early September 1916 he was transferred to the 7th Battalion, joining that unit in France later that month. In November 1916 he was withdrawn to the Middlesex War Hospital suffering with inflammation of the connective tissue of his fingers. In March 1917 he was wounded in action, suffering a gunshot wound to his left leg. He was again evacuated to hospital in England where the extent of his injury was confirmed – fractures to his left tibia and fibula. He was returned to Australia via the Nestor to Fremantle then the Demosthenes to Melbourne. He was discharged as "medically unfit" in November 1917.