Born in Ballarat, Victoria and a Civil servant by trade, John Leslie Baird was 22 years and single when enlisted on the 18th of April 1917 in the Army Medical Corps, August 1917 Reinforcements, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 18701. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A71 'Nestor' on the 21st of November 1917. Taken on strength from the 8th Australian Field Ambulance from A.A.M.C. Reinforcements from England ex A.G.B.D. Embarked return to Australia per 'Main' ex England on the 23rd of July 1919. Disembarked on the 11th of October 1919. Discharged from the 3rd Military District on the 10th of November 1919 with the termination of Period of Enlistment. Tree No. 2954