Royden Wesley Tong was born in Ballarat and was a Postal Employee by trade when he enlisted in the 21st Battalion, 6th Reinforcement on 8 July 1915 at the age of 18. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Moldavia on 5 October 1915. While serving in France with the 24th Battalion he was wounded in action in November 1916. He suffered a gunshot wound to the left knee and was evacuated to hospital in England. While there he was transferred to the 21st Battalion. He returned to France only to be wounded again in October 1917, this time suffering a gunshot wound to his left arm, but eventually he returned safely to Australia.

His brother, Arthur Norman Tong also served and initially enlisted on February 14th 1916 as Robert Arthur Bateson (Tree No. 2182)
Tree No. 841