Ernest Dingle Pridgeon (SN 2867) born at Ballarat, was a 22 year old teacher at Mansfield High School when he enlisted in Melbourne on July 17th 1915. As a reinforcement for the 23rd Infantry Battalion, he embarked aboard the Ulysses on October 27th and sailed to Egypt where he continued training. In March 1916 he joined the 23rd Battalion in France. In July he was wounded in action at Pozieres, suffering wounds to his face and right leg. He was evacuated to hospital in England but was able to rejoin his unit in December. He avoided further combat wounds but was hospitalised in September 1917 with a septic toe and in March 1918 with an abscess on the back of his neck. At the war’s end he returned to Australia aboard the Anchises, disembarked at Melbourne on April 17th 1919 and was discharged on June 9th.

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