Reggie Austin Finch (SN 2555) born at Ballarat, was a 23 year old farmer when he enlisted at Melbourne on August 15th 1916. He embarked on October 21st aboard the Port Melbourne and sailed to England. In May 1917 he joined the 3rd Pioneer Battalion in France. He avoided battle wounds but in December he was evacuated to hospital in England suffering from trench fever. He did not rejoin his unit in France until August 1918. He came safely through the final months of the war and returned to Australia aboard the Prinz Hubertus, disembarked on August 24th 1919 and was discharged on October 8th.

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