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William Charles Dunk was born at Port Albert in South Gippsland on the 18th October 1879 and died on the 8th July 1949.

Prior to enlisting in the AIF, William also served in the Royal Navy on-board “HMS Katoomba” (formerly HMS Pandora, a Pearl-class cruiser launched on 27 August 1889 and originally built for the Royal Navy). Imperial Navy (Australia) 3yrs - Victorian Navy. Australian Navy 2yrs 1903 – 1906.

William Dunk enlisted in 1916 and was wounded in 1917 during 22nd Infantry Battalion, Bullecourt (Second). In September 1917, he rejoined the battalion and was wounded again in the line at Westhoek Ridge, Belgium. Private Dunk earned 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Nicholas Rodakis was born in Athens on the 26th of January 1879. From a young age he worked in Europe as a Seaman on various ships. He had British Citizenship when he landed in Sydney, Australia, on the 3rd of July 1902.

Nicholas decided to enlist in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) in February 1916, at the age of 36, even though this was quite an advanced age for enlistment. In June 1916, he landed in England before being sent to France to fight with the Australian Imperial Forces together with his brother in-law. Both had enlisted together in Warrnambool.

Before leaving for France, Nicholas had the Rank of Lance Corporal and later in the War he became a Sergeant. Lance Corporal Rodakis was a Gunner in the Australian 14th Infantry Battalion as part of the 4th Machine Gun Company (which later was consolidated into the 4th Machine Gun Battalion in 1918). In September 1917, he was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for Conspicuous Gallantry. Part of his Citation reads: “When his unit was attacked by enemy snipers and machine guns, he mounted his gun in a very exposed position risking his life to defend his area, and his Comrades. He stood to his post firing his machine gun and helping repulse the attack.”

Promoted to Sergeant in 1918, Rodakis was, with many of his battalion, attached to the 105th United States Infantry, 27th Division. He ‘exhibited great bravery and dash in leading them into effective combat, inspiring all by his courage and fearlessness.’, including saving the life of a wounded US soldier under fire, and was awarded the United States Distinguished Service Cross (left).

Nicholas returned home to Australia after the War and was discharged from the Army in August 1919. In later years the family lived in Melbourne and Nicholas also worked as a Postal Worker. He died in Melbourne, on the 20th November 1961, age 82.