William Alfred Youens (SN 704) born at Ballarat, was a 25 year old shunter when he enlisted in Bendigo on February 23rd 1916. Assigned to the 38th Infantry Battalion he embarked from Melbourne aboard the Runic on June 20th and in November he reached the battle front in France. In June 1917 he suffered a severe wound to his chest and was evacuated to England. He was deemed unfit for further active service and was returned to Australia aboard the Benalla, disembarked on November 11th and was discharged ‘medically unfit, wounded’ on December 7th.

His brothers Albert and Norman also served in the AIF and are honoured with trees in the Avenue.