Ernest Charles McLeod (Depot) was born in Steiglitz, but enlisted in Ballarat on July 14th 1915. He was 18 years old, unmarried, and working as a plumber. He began his training in the Flemington Training Depot. After a very short period for clothing and uniform issue and basic training, the recruits were allocated to their ultimate unit and issued with their regimental number. In Private McLeod's case he became very ill and missed the allocation to units as he was sent to the Austin Hospital. He had contracted epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis and died on August 9th 1915. He is buried in the Ballarat Old Cemetery.

His brother Maurice was killed during the Gallipoli landing and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.