Gerald Scanlan (SN 4306) was born at Ballarat and was a 22 year old labourer when he enlisted on 15 July 1915. He embarked from Melbourne onboard the Demosthenes on 29 December 1915. In March 1916 while at Zeitoun in Egypt he was attached to the 46th Battalion, and in early June he arrived at the battlefields of France. In December of 1916 he was disciplined for drunkenness while on active service, but he continued to serve until he was wounded in action on August 8th 1918. He received a shrapnel wound to the head and was evacuated to hospital. In September 1918 he was in serious trouble when he faced charges of breaking out of camp and resisting an escort. He returned to Australia on the Armagh, disembarking at Melbourne on May 18th 1919.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Gerald Scanlon.