Graham Coulter DSO (Lt. Col) was born in Ballarat where he was working as an accountant when the married, 35 year old enlisted on September 4th 1914. Having previously served in the Boer War, he joined the 8th Battalion at the rank of Captain and embarked from Melbourne on board the Benalla six weeks later. He was promoted to Major early in the Gallipoli campaign where he assumed command of the 8th Battalion in August following the illness of his commanding officer. He fell sick himself in November and was evacuated to Lemnos suffering from jaundice. He rejoined his unit in Lemnos after the evacuation of Gallipoli and was transferred to France in April 1916 where he was soon promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He was Mentioned in Dispatches in November 1916 and awarded the Distinguished Service Order in January 1917 for 'Courage and powers of leadership enabling valuable services to be rendered by Battalion at Pozieres.' Seconded for duty with the 1st Training Battalion, he served much of 1917 in England before returning to Australia on board the Corinthic where his appointment was terminated on March 18th 1918.

In July 1918, he was appointed Honorary Lieutenant Colonel commanding troops for the duration of the voyage of the Gaika. He returned to Australia in December, again as the officer in charge of troops on board the Takada. His second appointment was terminated on February 20th 1919.

Two of his brothers also served in the AIF and are honoured with trees in the Avenue. Jason died of wounds received at Gallipoli in August 1915, and Leslie was killed in action in France in 1917. A third brother, Sydney, was killed in action during the Boer War.