Robert Alexander Laing (SN 1975) was born in Ballarat, and was a 27 year old driver , married to Rosa when he enlisted in Melbourne on November 25th 1915. He embarked for active service on January 5th 1916 and sailed to Egypt where his early months were marked by a bout of influenza and three charges of being absent without leave for short periods. In June 1916 he moved to France, attached to the 10th Field artillery Brigade, and it seems he was fortunate to avoid serious illness or battle wounds. After the war he returned on the China, disembarked at Melbourne on June 8th 1919 and was discharged soon after.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Robert A. Lang.