William Martin Phelan (SN 2452) born at Ballarat, was a 24 year old packer when he enlisted in Melbourne on July 11th 1916. As a reinforcement for the 59th Infantry Battalion, he embarked from Melbourne aboard the Shropshire on September 25th and sailed to England. He crossed to the battlefields of France in December. In May 1917 he was transferred to the 15th Light Trench Mortar Battery. During his service he was troubled at different times by influenza, diarrhoea and a hernia but he avoided combat wounds. After the war he returned aboard the Euripides, disembarked at Melbourne on October 20th 1919 and was discharged on December 4th. He also served in WW2 (SN V359119)

His brother Andrew also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.