Stanley Ernest Featherston (SN 3786), born in Sebastopol, was a 21year old single chemist when he enlisted in Geelong on June 3rd 1916. He embarked from Melbourne aboard the Commonwealth with the 29th Battalion, 9th Reinforcements on September 19th 1916. Soon after arriving in England he was hospitalized with mumps. He joined his Battalion in France in December 1916. In February 1918 he was hospitalized for a second time with pryexia. Later that year he was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal which was later altered to the Military Medal "For bravery and devotion to duty during the attack and capture of the village of Vauvillers on August 9th 1918 . Pte Featherston displayed great initiative and devotion to duty whilst acting in the capacity of Coy Runner attached to Bn Hqrs. When the Company was held up by extremely heavy M.G. fire from the front and right flank, and very heavy casualties had been sustained, ...... Pte Featherston with utter disregard to personal safety went out in the open in the face of a murderous machine gun barrage, and by his coolness and skill succeeded in reaching the Centre Coy and informing the O.C. of the position of Coys. on his flanks. ........ Pte Featherston showed throughout a remarkable sense of devotion to duty and cool courage which was the admiration of all ranks." On September 29th 1918 he was wounded, suffering a serious gunshot wound to his right forearm and was evacuated to England for treatment. He was recommended for an early return to Australia and arrived in Melbourne on board the Karmala on February 2nd 1919 and was discharged on March 25th 1919.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his surname as Featherstone.