Samuel John Tong-Way (SN 19531) born at Ballarat, was a 22 year old high school teacher at Daylesford when he enlisted there on June 6th 1917. Assigned to the Medical Corps, he embarked from Sydney aboard the Osterley on May 8th 1918. He was later transferred to the 5th Division Signal Company but did not reach France until a week after the Armistice had been signed and the fighting had ceased. He was granted extended leave in England to undertake further science study before he returned to Australia aboard the Cape Verde. He disembarked at Melbourne on February 26th 1920 and was discharged on March 20th.

His brother Hedley also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.