projects
They Answered the Call – A
Please Note: Those service personnel without a Service Number means we have not been able to establish we have found the right person. If you can help us with more information, please contact us via our enquiry form and we will happily add the relevant information.
A’Beckett, Malwyn Hayley Major DSO
Service No: | Major |
Occupation: | Grazier |
Address: | Silvan and 59 Sutherland Rd. Armadale |
Date of Enlistment: | May 12, 1916 |
Age at Enlistment: | 44 years |
Marital Status: | Married |
Physical Description: | 5ft 8in tall, 10stn 2lbs |
Next of Kin: | Wife Mary Edith A’Beckett |
Rank on Enlistment: | Captain |
Unit Name: | 44 Btn |
Embarkation Details: | June 6, 1916 from Melbourne on HMAT Suevic A29 |
Places and dates of service:
1916 July 21: to Plymouth England
916 August 30: Promoted to Major
1916 September 25: on command to School of Instruction England.
1916 November 26: to LeHaure France.
1917 October 4: wounded in action – in the field Belgium.
1917 November 17: to hospital sick (myalgia).
1918 January 22: Appointed Companion of Distinguished Service Order.
1918 April 7: Mentioned in Despatches (by Sir Douglas Haig).
1918 October 30: Mentioned in Despatches.
Service injuries:
1917 October 4: wounded in the field Belgium ( not specified) remained on duty.
Returned to Australia: | to Melbourne on HT Marathon, December 24, 1918. |
Discharge Date: | February 13, 1919. |
Rank at Discharge: | Major |
Honours/Medals: | Distinguished Service Order Medal, Mentioned in dispatches twice, British Service Medal, Victory Medal. |
Memorials: | Silvan Honour Board |
Family Story:
Family Story: Malwyn was born in Prahran on January 4th 1872, his parents are not known. He married Mary Edith and family is not known. His death and burial place is not known.
His 1932 address was “Larnoo” Parker Rd. Silvan.
Ackerman, Alfred Charles No Service Number
Service No: | No service number – shown as HS Home Service |
Occupation: | Labourer |
Address: | John Street Lilydale |
Date of Enlistment: | February 26, 1917 |
Age at Enlistment: | 39 years 5 months |
Marital Status: | Married |
Physical Description: | 5ft 5 ½ in tall, 136lbs, grey eyes, brown hair, fresh complexion |
Next of Kin: | Agnes Mary Ackerman |
Rank on Enlistment: | Driver |
Unit Name: | Transport Unit Home Service |
Embarkation Details: | Not applicable |
Places and dates of service:
Remained in Australia.
Returned to Australia: | Not applicable |
Discharge Date: | May 21, 1919 |
Rank at Discharge: | Driver |
Honours/Medals: | Not applicable |
Memorials: | Shire of Lillydale Memorial Board, Methodist Church of Lilydale Honour Board |
Family Story:
Alfred was born in 1878 at Charlton Somerset England. He married Agnes Mary and they lived in John Street Lilydale and they had two children. He was given dispensation to stay in Australia because his wife was seriously ill and he had children dependent on him. He worked as a driver with the transport unit home service. Very little has been found about his family or his death.
Ackerman, G.
Aitken, N.
Aitken, R.
Aitken W.
Albury S.
Allen, George Henry 3006
Service No: | 3006 |
Occupation: | Labourer |
Address: | Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale, Victoria |
Date of Enlistment: | July 20, 1915 |
Age at Enlistment: | 25 years |
Marital Status: | Single |
Physical Description: | 5 feet 6 inches, 10 st 1lbs, chest 34 36 ½ inches, eyes brown, hair black |
Next of Kin: | Father Charles Allen |
Rank on Enlistment: | Private |
Unit Name: | 8th Battalion |
Embarkation Details: | November 20 1915, Melbourne, H.M.A.T. ‘Commonwealth’ |
Places and dates of service:
1915 July 21: 1st Depot Ball Seymour.
1915, November 19: Departed Melbourne.
1916 July 26: Admitted to 5th General Hospital, with Gunshot wound Buttock.
1916 July 28, Admitted to Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital , Harbourne, Birmingham and Discharged August 28, 1916.
1917 May 13, Transferred to England.
1917 April 29: Wounded in action 2nd Occasion.
1917 May 3: Admitted to 5th General Hospital, with gunshot wound left arm.
1917 May 13, Transferred to England.
1917 June 5: Discharged from Greve Military Hospital Richmond.
1917 October 25: Killed in Action, in the field Belgium. Buried Australian Section, 3rd Echollon G.H.Q., British Expeditionary Force.
Returned to Australia: | N/A |
Discharge Date: | N/A |
Rank at Discharge: | Private at time of death |
Honours/Medals: | Memorial Plaque, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Memorial Scroll, 1914/15 Star. |
Memorials: | Listed on Lilydale War Memorial; Lilydale Presbyterian Church Honour Board; Lilydale Rechabites Honour Board; Lilydale Fire Brigade Honour Board;and Shire of Lillydale WWI Honour Board. |
Family Story:
George Allen’s mother was Edith Elizabeth Allen, 733 Burwood Rd Auburn Victoria.
Anderson, Arthur Frederick 3006
Service No: | 3006 |
Occupation: | Railway Employee |
Address: | Main St Lilydale |
Date of Enlistment: | July 28, 1915 |
Age at Enlistment: | 19 years 10 months |
Marital Status: | Single |
Physical Description: | 5 feet 6 inches, 158 lbs, chest 35/38 inches, dark, eyes brown, hair brown. |
Next of Kin: | Mother Elizabeth Anderson. |
Rank on Enlistment: | Private |
Unit Name: | 7th Battalion, Late 7/21 Battn |
Embarkation Details: | October 15, 1915, Melbourne, HMAT Whiltshire. |
Places and dates of service: 1916 January 13: 1st Gen. 180, Admitted Febucula at Helioplis,
1916 February 24: Alloted & proceeded to join 7th Battn ex Zeltoun.
1916 March 4: Joined 7th Battn at Serapeum.
1916 April 2: Arrived in France with the British Expeditionary Force.
1916 August 1: Appointed Lance Corporal ‘in the field’ France.
1916 August 10: Promoted Corporal, France.
1916 February 24: Taken on strength of 7th Battalion from 21st Battn.
1916 August 18: Reported Missing.
Service Injuries:
Died in the field. Buried Delville Wood Cemetery,5 ½ miles South/South West of Bapame, France. Plot 2 Row R Grave 2.
Returned to Australia: | Not Applicable |
Discharge Date: | Not Applicable |
Rank at Discharge: | Corporal at time of death. |
Honours/Medals: | British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1914/15 Star, Memorial Scroll. |
Memorials: | Lilydale War Memorial. |
Family Story:
Not known.
Anderson, Joseph Ringland Captain MC
Service No: | Captain |
Occupation: | Medical Practitioner |
Address: | 2 Highbury Grove Kew |
Date of Enlistment: | May 1, 1917 |
Age at Enlistment: | 22 years |
Marital Status: | Single |
Physical Description: | 5ft 10 ½ in tall, 154lbs, green eyes, brown hair, fair. |
Next of Kin: | Father Rev. Joseph Ringland Anderson |
Rank on Enlistment: | Captain |
Unit Name: | Aust. Army Medical Corp. |
Embarkation Details: | May 9, 1917 at Sydney on HMAT Ulysses. |
Places and dates of service:
1917 July 29: to Plymouth England for training.
1918 February 2: to Boulogne France.
1918 February 3: posted to 3rd Australian Hospital in the field France.
1918 March 31: posted to 13th Field Ambulance France.
1918 April 16: posted to 45th Btn. France.
1918 September 18: awarded Military Cross in France.
Military Cross Citation:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack west of Bellenglise, north of St.Quentin, on the 18th September, 1918. During a protracted advance he established his R.A.P. well forward in the open, and continued with cool courage to attend the wounded under heavy shell fire. His efforts saved many lives.”
Returned to Australia: | October 20 1919 to Melbourne on HMAT Euripides. |
Discharge Date: | November 27, 1919. |
Rank at Discharge: | Captain |
Honours/Medals: | Military Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal. |
Memorials: | Not known |
Family Story:
Joseph was born in Lilydale to parents Joseph Ringland Anderson and Annie Love Elder Guthrie. In December 2, 1919 he married Isabel Mary McComas at the Presbyterian Church in Kew. Joseph’s father was the Reverend at Lilydale Presbyterian Church from 1892-1902, he married Annie on August 27, 1890 at Rokewood. He was born at Killylea Ireland and came to Australia in 1881.
Joseph attended school at Lilydale State School, Scotch College and Melbourne University, where attained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery 1916. He was Regiment Medical Officer of the 45th Btn. After the war he did Post-graduate studies at the Royal London Ophthalmological Hospital. He was a Member and Fellow of the Ophthalmological Society of Australia, Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh Scotland) and the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.
Armstrong, C.
Arnott, Archibald 11803
Service No: | 11803 |
Occupation: | Plasterer |
Address: | Main Street Lilydale |
Date of Enlistment: | September 18, 1915 |
Age at Enlistment: | 22years |
Marital Status: | Single |
Physical Description: | 5ft 7 ½ in tall, 10stn 2lbs, brown eyes, dark hair, fresh complexion. |
Next of Kin: | Father, Archibald Arnott |
Rank on Enlistment: | Private/gunner |
Unit Name: | 4th Btn. |
Embarkation Details: | January 28, 1916 Melbourne on HMAT Themistocles A32. |
Places and dates of service:
1916 February 29: to Zeitoun Egypt.
1916 March 9: to Tel-el-Kebir Egypt.
1916 March 14: to Alexandria Egypt.
1916 March 19: to Marseilles France.
1917 March 9: in the field France
1918 December 6: sick (rheumatism, myalgia) in the field France.
1918 December 10: to Rouen Hospital France
1919 February 19: to Havre France.
1919 March 1: transfer to Aust. Base Reception Camp France.
1919 June 7: Returned to Australia.
Service injuries: NIL
Returned to Australia: | July 23, 1919 Melbourne on Ulysses. |
Discharge Date: | October 25, 1919 |
Rank at Discharge: | Gunner |
Honours/Medals: | 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Memorials: | Shire of Lillydale Honour Roll, Lilydale State School Honour Roll. |
Family Story:
Archie was born August 5, 1897 to Archibald Arnott in Lilydale, where he attended the Lilydale State school. After returning home from the war he married Agnes, and at the time of his enlistment in 1941 to go to WW2, they had two children under 16years, and was a truck driver living at 33 Deakin Ave. Mildura South. After discharge from WW2 1944 he had served 752 days. Total period of service 976 days.
Atkinson, Albert Robert 17893
Service No: | 17893 |
Occupation: | Railway Employee |
Address: | Wandin Road, Lilydale |
Date of Enlistment: | July 8, 1916 |
Age at Enlistment: | 38 years 11 months |
Marital Status: | Married |
Physical Description: | 5ft 9in tall, 140lbs, blue eyes, brown grey hair, medium complexion |
Next of Kin: | Wife, Amy Eva Atkinson |
Rank on Enlistment: | Corporal |
Unit Name: | Army Medical Corp. reinforcements |
Embarkation Details: | August 4, 1917 Melbourne on HMAT Themistocles. |
Places and dates of service:
1917 October 2: to Glascow Scotland.
1917 December 6: to AAMC France.
1918 March 2: transfer to 5th Australian Broad Gauge Railway Operating Coy. France.
1919 June 21: Returned to Australia.
Service Injuries: NIL
Returned to Australia: | August 13, 1919 to Melbourne on Konigin Luise |
Discharge Date: | September 12, 1919 |
Rank at Discharge: | Corporal |
Honours/Medals: | British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Memorials: | Lilydale Baptist Church Honour Board, Shire of Lillydale Honour Roll. |
Family Story:
Albert was born july13, 1877 in Collingwood to parents John Anderson Atkinson and Mary Ann Morris.
He worked as a railway employee and came to Lilydale between 1906 and 1910. On July 15, 1896 he married Amy Eva Smith and they had ten children. Their eldest son Claude Albert Charles 1897-1916 (also served WW1 and was Killed In Action.)
There other children were: William Reginald (b) 1898, Ruby Alice (b)1899, Eva Myrtle (b) 1901, John Anderson (b) 1906, Lillian Margaret (b) 1910, Stanley Maurice (b) 1911, Eric Aubrey (b) 1913, Ronald Anzac (b) 1916, Beryl Edith (b) 1921.
After the war, Albert became a painter. He died December 1, 1921 at Lilydale and was buried at Lilydale Lawn Cemetery W2 Row 2.
Atkinson, Claude Albert Charles 591
Service No: | 591 |
Occupation: | Labourer |
Address: | Warburton Highway, Lilydale. |
Date of Enlistment: | March 6, 1915 |
Age at Enlistment: | 18 years |
Marital Status: | Single |
Physical Description: | 5ft 5 3/4in tall, 9stn 12lb, blue eyes, brown hair, medium complexion. |
Next of Kin: | Mother Amy Atkinson. |
Rank on Enlistment: | Private |
Unit Name: | 24Btn |
Embarkation Details: | May 8, 1915 from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides. |
Places and dates of service:
1915 August 30: to Gallipoli Peninsula.
1916 January 10: to Alexandria Egypt.
1916 March 26: to Marseille France.
1916 March to August: in the field- France.
1916 August 5: wounded France.
1916 August 6: died of wounds.
Service Injuries:
1916 August 5: gun shot wound to left thigh – in the field France Admitted to No.11 General Hospital Camiere France.
1916 August 6: died of wounds received, buried in Etaples Military Cemetery France Plot 9 Row C Grave 12A.
Returned to Australia: | N/A |
Discharge Date: | N/A |
Rank at Discharge: | Private at time of death. |
Honours/Medals: | 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Memorial Scroll and Plaque. |
Memorials: | Lilydale War Memorial; Wandin War Memorial; Lilydale Baptist Church Honour Board; Lilydale IOOF Honour Board; Shire of Lillydale Honour Roll; Lilydale State School Honour Roll. |
Family Story:
Claude was born in 1897 in Coburg to parents Albert Robert Atkinson and Amy Eva Atkinson. His father Albert Robert Atkinson No.17893, and brother William Reginald Atkinson No. 30010, also served in World War I. The Atkinson family lived in Warburton Rd. Lilydale and in Gruyere for many years.
Atkinson, M. Capt
Atkinson, William Reginald 30010
Service No: | 30010 |
Occupation: | Clerk |
Address: | Wandin Rd. Lilydale |
Date of Enlistment: | May 10, 1916 |
Age at Enlistment: | 18 years |
Marital Status: | Single |
Physical Description: | 5ft 5 ¾ in tall, 121lbs, blue eyes, brown hair, medium complexion |
Next of Kin: | Father, Albert Atkinson |
Rank on Enlistment: | Gunner |
Unit Name: | 120th Howitzer Btn. |
Embarkation Details: | October 2, 1916 Melbourne on HMAT Aeneas A60 |
Places and dates of service:
1916 November 19: to Plymouth England.
1917 March 31: to France – transfer to 102nd Btn.
1917 August 10: wounded in Belgium in the field.
1917 August 19: to England, Royal Victoria Hospital Netley.
1917 November 22: Australian Army Hospital Dartford England.
1917 November 27: discharged hospital, transfer to Weymouth England.
1917 December 20: RTA
Service injuries:
1917 August 16: Gun shot wound to both thighs and jaw in the field Belgium.
Returned to Australia: | February 13, 1918 Melbourne on HS Runic A54 Medically unfit, disability compound fracture of lower jaw. |
Discharge Date: | August 21, 1918 |
Rank at Discharge: | Gunner |
Honours/Medals: | British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Memorials: | Shire of Lillydale Honour Roll, Baptist Church of Picnic Hill (Wandin) Honour Board. |
Family Story:
William was born 1898 Ascot Vale to parents Albert Robert and Amy Atkinson. He attended Lilydale Primary School, and was a member of the Picnic Hill Baptist Church (Wandin). While at sea October 4, 1916- 26 hours out from Melbourne he put a message in a bottle and threw it overboard. (the message was: “bit sea sick at first, would the finder please send home to my mother.” The message was found and sent on from South Australia. (Lilydale ExpressMarch 30, 1917).
It is not known if William married or had family, he died 10 January 10, 1987 and was cremated at Fawkner Cemetery on January 13, 1987,
Austin, Francis Patrick 10641
Service No: | 10641 |
Occupation: | Factory hand. |
Address: | Lilydale/Albert Park |
Date of Enlistment: | July 19, 1915 |
Age at Enlistment: | 19 years 3 months |
Marital Status: | Single |
Physical Description: | 5ft 7in tall, 9stn 5lbs, grey eyes, dark brown hair, fresh |
Next of Kin: | Father John Austin |
Rank on Enlistment: | Private |
Unit Name: | 2/4th Bde |
Embarkation Details: | January 5, 1916 Melbourne on HMAT Australia. |
Places and dates of service: 1915 September- October : to Signal School in Australia
1915 November 20: promoted to Gunner
1916 February 14: to Alexandria Egypt
1916 March 19: to Marseilles France
1917 February 11: France in the field
1917 April 18: promoted to Driver in the field France
1917 May 22: promoted to Sapper in the field France
1918 March 2: to Belgium
1918 March 6: promoted to Lance Corporal Belgium
1918 June 25: to France
1919 April 5: to England for Return to Australia.
Service injuries: NIL
Returned to Australia: | July 2, 1919 to Melbourne on HT Nestor |
Discharge Date: | August 24, 1919. |
Rank at Discharge: | Lance Corporal |
Honours/Medals: | British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Memorials: | Shire of Lillydale Honour Roll |
Family Story:
Frank was born 1896 in Condobolin NSW to Father John Austin (mother not known).
He married Catherine Elizabeth Bryant and was an Engine Driver. Catherine died and was interred at Lilydale Cemetery on January 31, 1970 (Burial Reg. 6953). Frank died and was interred in Lilydale Cemetery on February 18, 1975 aged 78 years. (Burial Register No 7919).
Read our FREE Newsletter!
The society produces newsletters at least four times a year and all of our newsletters from 1995 are available digitally.