William Ernest Figgis (Major) was born in Ballarat where he became prominent in the mining industry. He was working as a mining engineer in South Africa when he visited family in London. While there he met and married Laura Stevens in late 1914. With the outbreak of war, he was commissioned as an officer with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. While serving he was wounded in action in France and also recommended for a Military Cross. When the war ended, he returned to Australia with his young family. He was killed in a motor accident near Kilmore on December 7th 1929. His name is recorded on the Ballarat School of Mines WW1 Honour Roll.