George Ellis (SN 6501) born at Ballarat, was a 19 year old blacksmith when he enlisted in Melbourne on August 16th 1916. As a reinforcement for the 8th Infantry Battalion, he embarked aboard the Nestor and sailed first to England and then to France in February 1917. In May he suffered a gunshot wound to his left elbow and was evacuated to hospital in England. It was then decided he was unfit for further active service, and he was returned to Australia aboard the Suevic and discharged ‘medically unfit, wounded’ on December 24th 1917.

His brothers Edward and William also served in the AIF and are honoured with a tree in the Avenue.