William Robert Gay (SN 5595) born at Ballarat, was a married 36 year old labourer when he enlisted in Melbourne on May 6th 1916. Assigned to the 23rd Infantry Battalion he embarked aboard the Shropshire on September 25th. He reached the battlefields of France in December 1916 but was wounded in action on February 9th 1917. He suffered shrapnel wounds to his face and knee and was evacuated to hospital in England. It was decided that his wounds were such that he should be returned to Australia. He returned aboard the Anchises and was discharged ‘wounded’ on February 15th 1918. Seven months later he re-enlisted on September 19th (SN 80128) but with the war ending he was discharged on November 11th 1918, the day the Armistice was signed.

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