Harold Farckens (SN 4324) born in Ballarat, was a 20 year old wood cutter when he enlisted at Blackboy Hill outside Perth on January 25th 1916. He sailed from Fremantle on the Warilda on June 1st to serve in France with the 3rd Tunnelling Company. He reached France in August 1916 but, from this point, his service record carries little more than reports of discipline charges including assault, gambling, abusive language and one charge of careless use of a firearm in a public space. It seems his fighting spirit was directed not only to the enemy but also to the military authorities. After the war he returned to Fremantle on the Warwickshire and was discharged on July 7th 1919.

His brothers Jack and Robert also served in the AIF and are honoured with a tree in the Avenue.