Sapper John Lilly

LANCE CORPORAL JOHN LILLY

5085 – 2nd Tunnelling Company

John Lilly recorded his birthplace was Holeywell, Belckoo, Armagh, Ireland about May, 1887 and the son of Bernard and Dolly Lilly. His sister Mary (27) arrived in Queensland on April 24, 1910 aboard the Rippingham Grange and went to work at Afton Downs Station, Hughenden, Qld. The following year his brother James (20) and sister Rose (18) arrived on September, 10, 1911 also on the ship Rippingham Grange and Rose went to Afton Downs Station while James travelled further south. On November 30, 1912 John (21) arrived on the Perthshire and worked as a labourer in Hughenden, Qld.

At the Recruiting Office, Hughenden, Qld on October 30, 1915 John applied to enlist for service overseas and passed the preliminary medical examination. Personal particulars given were his age of 28½ years, height 180cms (5ft 11ins) with a chest measurement of 100cms (39½ins). The application was accepted the next day in Townsville, Qld and Attestation forms were signed and the new recruit sworn in. Further information shows he had a fresh complexion with brown eyes and black hair. Religion was Roman Catholic and next-of-kin nominated was his father Bernard Lilly of Holeywell, Belckoo, Armagh, Ireland.

Ten weeks basic training commenced at the Mining Corps Depot, Enoggera Camp, Brisbane, Qld with the first two weeks spent solely on Squad Drill. Week three to eight covered tuition in rudimentary handling of musketry, route marches and company drill. Entrenching techniques were also taught each week along with extended order drills. Four hours of bayonet practice and eight hours on guard duty ensued all aspects were learnt. Week nine was for musketry training and week ten was spent on bombing. In passing all phases by March 30, 1916 was sent for further instruction at Seymour, Victoria.

Allotted the Regimental No 5085 and the rank of Sapper was placed with the 3rd Reinforcements No 2 Company until April 4, 1916 then transferred to 4th Reinforcements No 1 Company for six weeks. The final weeks were spent in Musketry learning sharp-shooting in various positions of standing or lying with rapid shooting. Sapper took part in extra practise sessions with his scores improving quickly. Returned to the Miners Reinforcements on May 10, 1916 and was promoted to Lance Corporal on June 1, 1916.

On June 27, 1916 a minor offence is marked on his Conduct Sheet but no reason or privilege was noted or deducted.

In preparation for departure next-of-kin was changed to his sister Miss Rose Ann Lilly, who was now residing at “Kimo”, Berrell Street, Bondi, Sydney, NSW.

The transport HMAT A69 Armadale departed Melbourne, Victoria on July 19, 1917 with 79 Tunnelling Reinforcements aboard.

Eight days into the voyage on July 27, 1916 Lance Corporal Lilly was admitted to the ship’s hospital and almost four days later on Sunday night July 30, 1916 the Medical Officer reported he died of disease at sea, aged 29 years and 3 months.

The Master of Ship Captain A. Hunter gives the following in his report:

On August 10, 1916 Officer Commanding troopship A69 Armadale sent a Finding Report re death of soldier. Medical Reports numbered 1 and 2 were issued on August 19, 1916 by the Medical Officer and on August 25, 1916 confusion from A.A.G. (2nd Military District, NSW) about correct regimental number and who was next-of-kin as both his father and sister were named.

A reply on September 1, 1916 from his next-of-kin to Base Records’ notification of his demise requested the name of the transport he departed Melbourne on about July 18 and particulars surrounding his death. Correspondence was sent on September 6, 1916.

The Field Service Report of Death was sent by Telegram when the transport Armadale docked at Devonport, England on completion of the voyage on September 20, 1916.

The following day in London the Staff Paymaster forwarded Army Book 64 and a purse containing the sum of $12.65 (£6/6/6d) representing a portion of his personal effects to A.I.F. Administrative Headquarters.

Commencing on September 30, 1916 his parents whose address was given as Belso, Blackburn, Co Cavan, Ireland were each granted a pension of 75cents (7/6) per fortnight which was issued from Australia House, London.

The balance of his property listed below was despatched to his father in Ireland on October 30, 1916.

Money belt, 2 Handkerchiefs, Purse containing Union Ticket and 2 Medallions, Comb, Shaving Brush, Tooth Brush, Cigarette Case, Scarf, Pot Haseline Snow, Lanyard, Shaving Soap Tin.

As a result of a claim from Mrs Dolly Lilly, from Bellcoo, Black Lion, Co Cavan, Ireland, her pension payment was reviewed on April 11, 1918 and increased to $4 (40/-) per fortnight commencing on June 3, 1918.

For enlisting for active service abroad Lance Corporal 5085 John Lilly, No 2 Tunnelling Company was awarded the British War Medal (44301) which was sent to his father.

His father also was sent his son’s Memorial Plaque (312146) and Scroll which were issued in England on August 8, 1922.

Lance Corporal John Lilly’s name is commemorated on the , Southampton, England for those who have no proper grave except the sea.

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