Ivan was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC in 1889. He had two other family members, Robert and Frederick, who are also remembered in the Avenue.

Ivan was a labourer when he enlisted at Cobram, VIC in the AIF, 2^nd Reinforcements, 5^th Battalion on the 4^th of January 1915, aged 23. He embarked aboard the HMAT A46 Clan McGillivray in February and disembarked in Egypt some time later.

On the 25^th of April 1915 Ivan landed at Gallipoli and some time later was wounded⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ at Lone Pine⁽⁴⁾. After returning to Egypt, Ivan was attached to the 3^rd Training Battalion Pipe Band⁽³⁾ for a while before returning to England where he married Ellen Shearmur in February 1917. In October Ivan proceeded to France to reinforce the 9^th Battalion and his regimental number was changed⁽¹⁾ to 1308^B.

In June 1918 Ivan was again wounded - shell wound to the left side - and admitted to hospital in France, rejoining his unit at the end of July. He was granted two weeks leave in England in November before he returned to England for return to Australia in January aboard the Osterley, returning home in late February 1919 and was discharged from the AIF in April.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour, the Roll of Honour for the Coimadai State School and the Roll of Honour of S^t. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Bacchus Marsh. He is also remembered in the Coimadai Avenue of Honour.

Notes

1. His number was 1462 when he enlisted but re-allocated to 1308^B when he transferred to the 9^th Battalion.
2. The Bacchus Marsh Express 25 Sep 1915
3. The Bacchus Marsh Express 20 Jan 1917
4. In a letter written by his wife claiming his ANZAC Medal.