Born in Ballarat, Victoria and a School Teacher by trade, Harry Egerton Brittain was 18 years and single when enlisted on the 19th of July 1915 in the 31st Battalion, D Company, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Corporal, Number 825. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 'Wandilla' on the 9th of November 1915. Appointed Corporal from the 12th of August 1915 to the 1st of November 1915 and was listed as returned to Australia on the 24th of June 1916. Returning to Australia per Hospital Transport 'PORT SYDNEY' Pleurisy Effusion for 3 months change, left Suez on the 24th of July 1916 and due Melbourne on the 17th of July 1916. Admitted to No. 1 Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis for Pleurisy on the 23rd of May 1916. Disembarked Melbourne on the 27th of July 1916. Discharged from the A.I.F. 3rd Military District Melbourne as medically unfit of Pleurisy with effusion on the 31st of August 1916. Tree No. 3323