Claude William Straford MM (SN 1199) born at Meredith, was a 22 year old teacher at Salt Creek in South Australia when he enlisted at Ararat on Match 1st 1916. On May 27th he embarked aboard the Ascanius and sailed to England. In November he joined the 39th Infantry Battalion in France. In April 1917 appendicitis forced his evacuation to hospital in England, but he was able to rejoin his unit in October. In August 1918, during the fierce fighting along the Somme, his gallantry and devotion to duty earned for him a Military Medal. Soon after this he sustained a severe gunshot wound that fractured his right leg. He was returned to Australia aboard the Dongola, disembarked on May 16th 1919 and was discharged ‘medically unfit’ on August 8th 1920.

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