William Samuel Hearn (SN 6439) born in Ballarat, was a 19 year old labourer when he enlisted in Melbourne on October 2nd 1916. Assigned to the 24th Infantry Battalion he embarked aboard the Hororata on November 23rd and sailed to England. He crossed to France in October 1917 and completed his service without significant illness or injury. He returned to Australia on the Chemnitz, disembarked on September 5th 1919 and was discharged on October 10th.

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

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as William S. Hearne.