| Regimental number | 314 |
| Place of birth | Numurka, Victoria |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Address | Numurkah, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Height | 5' 7.75" |
| Weight | 141 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, John Bate Fairless, Numurkah, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Served for 2 years in the Senior Cadets; 2 years in the 15th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Citizen Military Forces; still serving at time of enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | Machine Gun Company 10, Reinforcement 3 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 24/15/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 1st Machine Gun Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Sydney, 19 September 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 14 November 1916; marched in to Machine Gun Training Depot, Grantham, 23 November 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 17 March 1917, and taken on strength, 2nd Division Machine Gun Company. On leave to United Kingdom, 12 June 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 29 June 1918. Promoted Temporary Corporal, 19 February 1919, and appointed Acting Sergeant same day. On leave to United Kingdom, 3 April 1919. Granted leave from France, 5-19 April 1919; granted extension of leave, 21 April 1919; rejoined Bn, in the field, 23 April 1919. Marched out to England for return to Australia, 26 May 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Port Melbourne', 5 July 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 20 August 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), 4 October 1919. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 64 |
| Place of burial | Shepparton Cemetery, Victoria |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, FAIRLESS Norman Whiteford |