Born in Ballarat, Victoria and a cook by trade, Richard Brain was 36 years and married when enlisted on the 9th of August 1916 in the 8th Battalion, 21st Reinforcement, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 6469. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A71 'Nestor' on the 2nd of October 1916. 28th of January 1917 admitted sick to Fargo Hospital; on the 19th of march 1919 admitted sick to Hospital; on the 1st of December 1917 admitted fracture right leg, Boulogne; on the 6th of December 1917 transferred to England, Boulogne, fracture Fibula right and admitted fracture right ankle and was listed as returned to Australia on the 5th of April 1918 per H.S. 'A. 30' for discharge, Potts Fracture right leg ex England. Tree No. 2494