Harold Gordon Cornell (SN 715) from Armstrong Street, Ballarat had attended the Humffray Street State School and Ballarat College before becoming an electrician. In August 1916 he enlisted at Claremont in Tasmania where he trained with the 1st Depot Battalion. He embarked on the‘Ulysses on October 25th 1916 to join the 69th Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, as a wireless operator. After a period of training in England, he graduated as a flying officer (pilot) with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, and was posted to the 68th Squadron A.F.C. On December 11th 1917 he was killed when he crashed near Baizieux in France. He was 27 years old and is buried in the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension.

His brother Osborn was killed in France in August 1918 and is also honoured with a tree in the Avenue.