Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born:  George Collin PILLEY, 18 December 1896 in Adelaide, South Australia        
(he reverted his names around)
(SA Birth record 1842 - 1906 Book: 596 Page: 78 District: Ade.)

Father Frederick William PILLEY and  Mother Edith Florence (nee MELVIN).

Mrs Edith Pilley was daughter of the late Mr. William Melvin, of the Supreme Court,
and niece of Mr D. W. Melvin, Auctioneer, and the late Mrs Whiting.

Prior to embarking he lived with his parents at Bernard Street, Claremont, WA.

They later moved to 76 Monmouth Street, North Perth, WA.

Siblings:
Brother    Frederick Cyril PILLEY (b.  18/12/1896, Adelaide SA - d.  12/6/1960)
               (enlisted under name Cyril Frederick Pilley) 
Sister       May Irene PILLEY  (b. 27/9/1900, Unley SA - d. ___)

Next of kin in service:
Brother     WWI 1814  Cyril Frederick Pilley
                        Private in 11th Battalion to AIF Headquarters
                WWII W237686  Major in Australian Army Canteens Service
                Returned to Australia
                12/6/1960     Cyril passed away (64 years)
                cremated in:  Karrakatta Cemetery, Nedlands, WA
                                    Crematorium Rose Gardens; Site 6C; Position 0007

Previous service
6 months Senior Cadets - still serving on enlistment

Described on enlisting as 19 years 4 months old; single; 5' 10 1/2" tall; 155 lbs;
fair complexion; grey-blue eyes; fair hair; Methodist

6/5/1915       enlisted in Perth, Western Australia

13/5/1915     Commanding Officer appointed Colin to 6th reinforcements, 11th Battalion
                    Blackboy Hill, Western Australia

6/6/1915       embarked from Fremantle, WA on board HMAT A2 Geelong
                    as a Private in 11th Infantry Battalion, 6th reinforcements

31/7/1915     embarked on board HMT Berrima, ex Alexandria
                     for Dardanelles, GALLIPOLI

4/8/1915       taken on strength from 7th reinforcements into
                    11th Infantry Battalion, Dardanelles, Gallipoli

26/8/1915     sick with dysentry, admitted to hospital, Gallipoli
3/9/1915       admitted to 1st Field Ambulance, Gallipoli
5/9/1915       transferred to Mudros
10/9/1915     embarked on board HS Neuralia for Malta
9/10/1915     embarked for England
6/3/1916       rejoined unit

5/6/1916       proceeded to join British Expeditionary Forces, ex Alexandria
12/6/1916     disembarked into Marseilles, France

5/7/1916       Gun shot wound to hip - France
8/7/1916       admitted to No.3 Canadian General Hospital
9/7/1916       embarked on HS Maheno at Boulogne, France, for England
10/7/1916      admitted to Hampstead General Hospital

17/9/1916      taken on strength from No.1 Command Depot, Perham Downs
                     to 13th Training Battalion

31/12/1916    proceeding overseas to France, ex Folkestone on board SS Invicta
19/1/1917      rejoined unit, Etaples, France

1/5/1918        Appointed Lance Corporal, France

6/7/1918        wounded in action (2nd ocasion), France
9/7/1918        admitted to L of C Hospital
22/9/1918      rejoined unit

21/10/1918     Promoted to Corporal, in the field

11/11/1918     marched in No.3 Australian General Hospital - dog bite
                      admitted to Astoria Hospital, Paris

31/12/1918     discharged to Base, Havre, France

29/3/1919      London Gazette - Awarded MILITARY MEDAL 

"During period 26th March to 16th September 1918 this Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO),
  who is a Lewis Gunner, has shown splendid initiative and devotion to duty.
  During operations he has several times located hostile machine guns and led his section
  against them, engaging them by fire while his Company advanced.
  His gallant conduct, ready resourcefulness, and ever cheerful manner have been a
  splendid example to his comrades."

28/5/1919      detached for duty with AIF Headquarters, ex Sutton Veny

11/11/1919    detached to 51st Battalion, on march out of Sutton Veny

18/12/1919     returning to Australia on board Konigan Luise
28/1/1920       disembarked into Australia

27/4/1920       discharged from service in AIF at Perth, Western Australia

Medals:
1914-15 Star (1665); British War medal (3675) and Victory medal (3672).

1930             married Ethel M PEIRREL. in Western Australia

29/9/1964      Colin passed away
cremated in:   Karrakatta Cemetery in WA
                    - ashes scattered over gardens

Sourced and submitted by Elizabeth Allen and Julianne T Ryan.  16/5/2015.  Lest we forget.