Francis Leopold Baird (SN 6223) born at Blowhard north of Ballarat, was a 22 year old farmer when he enlisted in Ballarat on May 23rd 1916. As a reinforcement for the 8th Infantry Battalion, he embarked aboard the Euripides on September 11th and sailed to England. In December he moved to France to join his unit. In late September 1917 he suffered a shrapnel wound to his leg and was evacuated to hospital, rejoining his unit five weeks later. In March 1918 he was again evacuated, this time due to rheumatism. This seriously limited him and he was returned to Australia aboard the Essex. He disembarked at Melbourne on August 1st 1918 and was discharged medically unfit on August 17th.

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