Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Walter W. and Emily R. Mills of 'Kareela', Riverview Street, Chiswick, NSW. Brother of Clarence Frank Mills MC, Edgar W. Mills, Richard E. Mills and Beryl Emily R. Dyer nee Mills

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Previously served with the senior cadet for 2 years and a further 12 months at the Duntroon Military College

Hessel Sydney Mills was born on 14 November 1895 in Petersham, New South Wales, to Walter and Emily Mills. He grew up with his sister, Beryl Emily Dyer, and his brother, C.F. Mills MC, who later served as a captain in the 4th Field Company Engineers during the First World War. Hessel attended Sydney Technical High School, where he studied mathematics, science, and technical subjects, and showed strong academic promise. In 1912, he gained his Intermediate Certificate and, the following year, was awarded an Intermediate Technical Scholarship, which was reported in The Daily Telegraph as recognition of his ability.

In March 1914 Hessel entered the Royal Military College at Duntroon as a cadet. His decision reflected both his personal interest in military service and the social climate of the time. However, by December that year he left Duntroon in order to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). On 16 December 1914 he joined the 4th Infantry Battalion, 5th Reinforcement, and was given the service number 1995.

Hessel embarked from Sydney on HMAT Kyarra on 13 April 1915. Initially a Reinforcement Sergeant, he reverted to Private on joining the 4th Battalion at Gallipoli, but was quickly promoted to Corporal in June 1915 in recognition of his leadership. The 4th Battalion was heavily involved in the fighting to defend the beachhead, and in August 1915 took part in the fierce assault on Lone Pine. This battle was intended to divert Turkish forces from the main offensive at Chunuk Bair, and although successful in capturing the position, the attack came at an enormous cost. More than 2,000 Australians were killed or wounded in just a few days.

On 6 August 1915, during the fighting at Lone Pine, Hessel Sydney Mills was killed in action. He was just 19 years old. His body was never recovered, and he has no known grave. His name is engraved on the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli, which honours over 4,900 Australian and New Zealand soldiers with no known resting place.

Back in Australia, his family mourned his loss deeply. His name was inscribed on the Sydney Technical High School Honour Roll in 1915 and is also commemorated on the Australian War Memorial’s Roll of Honour in Canberra. His parents received his service medals – the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal – as well as a memorial plaque and scroll nearly a decade after his death. In 1916, his family published a notice in The Daily Telegraph, remembering him as a “very dear son and brother” who “died as he had lived – bravely.” In 1968, more than fifty years after Gallipoli, his sister Beryl was presented with the ANZAC (Gallipoli) Medallion, a final recognition of her brother’s service and sacrifice.