Herbert John Leigh was born in Buln Buln, VIC and was already serving with Victoria's 7th Infantry Regiment when he enlisted in the 7th General (Victorian) Reinforcements as a Second Lieutenant on 1 March 1918 at the age of 31. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A74 Marathon on 23 July 1918. He reached England in late September and did not arrive in France until hostilities had ceased. He left England in early August 1919 on the Argyllshire and disembarked at Melbourne on September 22nd. He also enlisted to serve during WW2.

His brother Victor was killed in action in Belgium on October 4th 1917 and his brothers Walter and Arthur also served in the AIF and are honoured with trees in the Avenue.