Robert Peter Henley (Captain) was born in Ballarat and was still living there with his wife when he applied for Commission in the AIF in January 1916. Prior to his commission, he had spent six years in the infantry, two years with the Royal Australian Artillery and a further three years as an instructor with the Australian Army Medical Corps where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant Major. In late February 1916, the newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant was appointed Quartermaster with the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station. His unit left Melbourne on board the Medic in May, bound for England. He was posted to France in October where he was promoted to Honorary Captain in April 1917. He continued to serve in France until the war ended and returned to Australia on board the Militiades, disembarking in Melbourne in August 1919. His appointment was terminated on September 20th 1919, after which he was appointed Administrator of the Caulfield Military Hospital.

While having a connection to Ballarat, Captain Henley is one of a number who served in the AIF but are not recognised with a tree in the Avenue.