John Frederick Kelsall (SN 126) was born in Ballarat and was a draper by trade when he enlisted in the 9th Battalion on August 27th 1914 at the age of 24. His unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board the Omrah in September 1914. Landing at Gallipoli with the 9th Battalion, he was wounded on April 25th 1915, and evacuated to hospital at Heliopolis, Egypt. He returned to his unit in June and continued to serve with distinction on the Western Front, earning for himself the Meritorious Service Medal for being 'an excellent example of courage, devotion to duty and powers of leadership, near le Barque, 24-26 February 1917'. In March 1918 he was gassed and evacuated to England and eventually returned to Australia. In January 1919 he was awarded the Medaille d'Honneur en Vermeil in recognition of his service to the people of France.

One of three Kelsall brothers who served in the AIF, his brothers Charles and Gordon are also honoured with trees in the Avenue.