Edward Spencer Holgate (SN 3193/Lt.) was born in Ballarat where he attended Ballarat College. As a 26 year old auctioneer he enlisted on March 22nd 1915 in the 6th Field Ambulance and sailed from Australia on June 4th 1915. He served on Gallipoli from late August 1915 until the December evacuation. He was attached to the 15th Field Ambulance when in June 1916 he reached France to serve with the 60th Infantry Battalion and was promoted to Lieutenant. On April 27th 1918 he was killed in action during the fighting at Villers-Bretonneux, but his courage was noticed by his commanding officer and he was Mentioned in Despatches. ‘During the first advance at Villers-Bretonneux on the night of 24th – 25th April 1918 this officer led his platoon with the greatest courage. He performed valuable service and, single-handed, cleaned out several dugouts of the enemy, thus allowing the advance to proceed. In the second advance he again displayed conspicuous bravery, leading and controlling his men until he was killed by an enemy shell'. He has no known grave, and his name is listed on the Australian Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.

His brother Harry also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue. Harry had been killed 6 months earlier.