Ernest James Whelan (SN 5297) was born in Sydney and was a 27 year old engineer when he enlisted in Adelaide on May 24th 1915. On July 17th he embarked aboard the Orsova and sailed to England assigned to the Motor Transport Company. He was posted to Harefield Hospital, England, as a driver. While there he twice came under notice. He was reprimanded ‘for failing to salute an officer in Regent Street, London’ and was formally recognised for ‘valuable services rendered at Harefield Hospital’. In May 1918 he was transferred to the 2nd Motor Transport Company in France and saw out the remainder of the war without major incident. He returned to Australia aboard the Runic and was discharged in August 1919.

His brothers Charles , 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 Ernest J. Whelen.