Albert Ernest Coombs (SN 4153) born at Allendale, was a 31 fireman when he enlisted in Ballarat on August 4th 1915. He trained at Ballarat and Castlemaine prior to embarking on the Demosthenes on December 29th 1915. In March 1916 he moved to France to serve as a gunner with the 12th Field Artillery Brigade. On May 6th 1917 he was wounded in action, suffering shell shock. He was evacuated first to England and then eventually returned to Australia on the Orontes. He was discharged as ‘medically unfit – debility’ on March 23rd 1919.

His brother Harry 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 Ernest A. Coombes.