Next of kin plaque: Corporal Holles Roy Dawes, 45th Battalion, AIF

Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge. Beneath the main figures, the British lion defeats the German eagle. The initials 'ECP', for the designer Edward Carter Preston appear above the lion's right forepaw. A raised rectangle above the lion's head bears the name of 'HOLLES ROY DAWES'.

Holles (also spelt Hollis) Roy Dawes was born at Albion Park, New South Wales in 1892, and was employed as a carpenter when he enlisted in the AIF on 6 August 1915. After initial training he was assigned the service number 4499 and posted as a private to the 14th reinforcements to the 1st Battalion. Known to his fellow soldiers as 'Olly' or 'Pug', Dawes left Sydney with his unit in January 1916, aboard RMS Osterley. On arrival in Egypt he was transferred to XV Platoon, D Company of the newly raised 45th Battalion.

On 11 April 1917 the battalion was in reserve during the first battle of Bullecourt in France. While waiting for darkness so that they go in to support a raid near the front line at Bullecourt Dawes and five others were killed by a large shell at the Sunken Road between Vaulx and Noreuil. A further eight men were wounded. He was buried at the Vaucourt Copse Cemetery.

By the time this commemorative plaque was issued, in September 1922, Dawes nominated next of kin, his mother, Mary Ann, had died, and it was sent to his eldest brother, Caleb, instead. Another brother, Walter, also served in 45th Battalion, and survived the war.