Charles Whelan (SN 1569) born in Ballarat, was a 26 year old miner when he enlisted in Melbourne on April 19th 1915. On June 25th he embarked from Melbourne aboard the Ceramic and on August 30th he landed at Gallipoli to serve with the 24th Infantry Battalion. A month later he was evacuated to hospital on Malta suffering from dysentery and it was decided he should return to Australia for six months recovery. In February 1916 he left Egypt aboard the Suffolk, reaching Melbourne on March 8th. In August he was listed as a deserter and was discharged on September 25th 1916 as an illegal absentee.

His brothers Ernest , Frank and Frederick also served in the AIF and are honoured with a tree in the Avenue.


Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Charles Whelen.