Herbert William Finch (SN 2307) born in Ballarat, was a 28 year old farmer when he enlisted on August 17th 1916. His unit embarked from Melbourne aboard the Port Lincoln on October 20th 1916. In October 1917 he joined the 39th Battalion in France, but within a month was hospitalised with measles. On September 29th 1918 he was wounded in action, suffering a gunshot wound to his left hand. He was evacuated to hospital in France where he saw out the remaining weeks of the war. He returned to Australia on the Wiltshire, disembarking on August 19th 1919 and was discharged September 26th.

His cousins Reggie and Loyal also served in the AIF and are honoured with trees in the Avenue.