James Albert Thomas Bale (SN 9366) born at Ballarat, was a 23 year old driver when he enlisted in Melbourne on July 20th 1915. Assigned to the Australian Army Service Corps he embarked from Melbourne on January 5th 1916 and sailed to Egypt. After some illness issues there he was moved to England where on October 6th 1917 he married Gladys Reekes in Wiltshire. A month later he was moved to France to serve with the 1st Division Train. In April 1918 he was transferred to the 9th Infantry Battalion to serve through the final months of the war. He returned to Australia aboard the Mahia, disembarked at Melbourne on July 17th 1919 and was discharged on September 8th.

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