Ernest Blair Howell (SN 473) was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, but the 26 year old piano maker enlisted in Ballarat on May 12th 1916, although it appears he may have already been serving with the 71st Infantry Regiment in Ballarat at the time. He left Melbourne with the 39th Battalion just two weeks later on board the Ascanius and transferred to the 10th Trench Mortar Battery in England before landing in France in November. He was wounded in action (gassed) in August 1918 and spent several weeks in hospital in France before rejoining his unit in December. Back in England in March 1919, he did not immediately return to Australia but was granted six months leave to work with renowned piano manufacturers, J.J. Hopkinson in London. He eventually embarked for Australia in September, landing in Melbourne in November, and was discharged from the AIF on January 4th 1920.

His brother Edwin was killed in action July 31st 1917 and is also honoured with a tree in the Avenue.