Richard Renfree was born in Stawell and was a Tailor by trade when he enlisted from Ballarat in the 8th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement on 14 July 1915 at the age of 44. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 28 January 1916. In April, while in Egypt, he was transferred to the 58th Battalion then in June he moved to England. Whilst in England he was transferred to the 66th Battalion then in June 1917 to the 17th Light Trench Mortar Battery. He crossed to France in September 1917 and on January 20th 1918 he was wounded in action. He sustained a severe shell wound to his back which left him with a fractured scapula and ribs. He was evacuated to England and repatriated to Australia suffering neurasthenia. He returned home on the Marathon and disembarked at Melbourne on June 12th 1918.
Tree No. 3264