James Wallace Marstin (SN 1253) born in Melbourne, was a 29 year old motor driver when he enlisted in Melbourne on August 17th 1914. He embarked aboard the Shropshire on October 21st , sailed to Egypt and then to Gallipoli. After Gallipoli he was moved to France in June 1916 where he served as a driver with the 2nd Australian Motor Transport Company. He avoided major illness or battle wounds although he did fracture his left clavicle in February 1918, the cause not noted in his service record. Later in 1918 he was granted ‘1914 leave’ and returned to Australia aboard the Port Hacking, disembarked at Melbourne on January 27th 1919 and was discharged on March 28th.

His brothers Archie and Edward also served in the AIF and are honoured with a tree in the Avenue.