Harry Joseph Wheeler (SN 5685), born in Carlton, was an 18 year old civil servant when he enlisted in Melbourne on April 17th 1916, naming a Ballarat aunt as next of kin. On September 25th he embarked aboard the Shropshire bound for France to serve with the 24th Infantry Battalion. After further training in England he reached France in December. On May 3rd 1917 he was wounded in action, suffering a severe gunshot wound to his left knee. He was evacuated to hospital in England, but the wound was so severe it was decided he should return home. He returned to Australia on the Beltana, disembarked at Melbourne on December 10th and was discharged on January 18th 1918.