Hugh Roy Rodger was born in Ballarat and was a Carpenter by trade when he enlisted in the 15th General (Victorian) Reinforcements on 1 August 1918 at the age of 22. His unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A36 Boonah on 22 October 1918 but with the signing of the Armistice on November 11th, the ship was recalled and he was discharged in February 1919. He also enlisted to serve during World War 2 with service number CV77139.

His brother William, and his sisters Elonie and Margaret also served in the AIF and are honoured with trees in the Avenue.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Roy H. Rodger.