Alfred Thomas Beaston (SN1802/8820) was born in Ballarat, single and working as a labourer when he enlisted on June 18th 1915 at the age of 28. He was allocated to the 21st Battalion and embarked from Melbourne on board the Demosthenes on July 16th 1915. After some further training in Egypt, he moved on to France in April 1916 but various illnesses caused frequent interruption to his active service. Due to ill health he embarked for his return to Australia on board the Trasos Montes disembarking in Melbourne on May 22nd 1919. He was discharged on August 5th 1919.

His brother Reginald also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Thomas A. Beaston.