Matthew "William" Ernest Brain (SN 28456) was a 31 year old miner from Lyons Street Ballarat at the time of his enlistment on May 23rd 1916. He sailed from Australia on the Ulysses on October 25th to serve as a driver with the 14th Field Artillery Brigade attached to the 1st Division Ammunition Column. On several occasions he was charged for being absent without leave and, on one occasion in early 1918, he faced trial for drunkenness and stealing from an officer; the latter charges incurring a penalty of 60 days Field Punishment No. 1. On July 30th 1918 he was hospitalised with an accidental penetrating eye injury. Just two weeks from the war’s end, he was evacuated to hospital in England suffering from bronchitis, most likely as a consequence of exposure to gas. On January 2nd 1919 he left England on the Karmala and disembarked at Melbourne on February 15th.