BORLEY, Eric William
| Service Number: | 1093 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 June 1917, Queenscliff, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Gunner |
| Last Unit: | 36th Heavy Artillery Group |
| Born: | White Hills, Victoria, August 1896 |
| Home Town: | White Hills, Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | White Hills Methodist School |
| Occupation: | Gardener |
| Memorials: | Bendigo Great War Roll of Honor, Bendigo White Hills Arch of Triumph, Queenscliff Royal Australian Garrison Artillery Third Military District Honor Roll, White Hills Methodist Church & Sunday School Roll of Honour, White Hills Methodist Church Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Jun 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1093, Queenscliff, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Nov 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Gunner, 1093, 36th Heavy Artillery Group, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Demosthenes embarkation_ship_number: A64 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Nov 1917: | Embarked AIF WW1, Gunner, 1093, 36th Heavy Artillery Group, HMAT Demosthenes, Sydney | |
| 1 Mar 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Gunner, 1093, 36th Heavy Artillery Group |
Eric William Borley
Eric enlisted on June 26, 1917. Enlistment number 1093.
He was born in White Hills, near Bendigo with his address given was Heinz Street, White Hills His father was Elliott Borley and mother's initials were C.M.
Eric was nearly 21 years of age and he was a gardener working in the family business of W. Borely and Sons Nursery in White Hills.He was enlisted as a gunner in the numbers 54 and 55 batteries of the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery part of the 36th Australian Heavy Military group. According to the Bendigonian newspaper a reception on June 28, 1917 was held in the White Hill Methodist School Hall for Gunner Borley before he departed for Queenscliff army barracks. In another farewell that week Gunner Borley entertained with a piano duet.
On November 9,1917 his unit embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes. Their destination is Glasgow when they arrive new years eve.
In the Bendigonian newspaper on January 10, 1918 it states 'Mr. and Mrs. Elliott Borley, of White Hills, have received a cable from their son, Gunner Eric Borley, stating he had arrived safely in England. Gunner Borley joined the Artillery Corps, and was many months at Queenscliff, whence he was transferred to Sydney.
After a few minor discipline entries (AWL) whilst in training Eric
and his unit head to France on April 9, 1918. Arriving just in time, Eric and his unit see action in northern France during the crucial battles to save Amiens from the Germans who have launched a massive push to split the British and French troops in this area. He is admitted to hospital sick twice PUO (unknown fever) in May and June and fights on till the end of October as the war is drawing to a close.
In the Bendigo Advertiser a photo of Eric is published saying he has been gassed.
He is repatriated to England on October 24 (trench fever) and returns to Australia on SS Bakaraa leaving on December 22, 1918. His illness is listed as 'Effort Syndrone'. Arrived in Melbourne on February 14, 1919 and discharged as being medically unfit.
Eric received the British war medal and the Victory medal.
Eric along with 64 other White Hills men and boys is remembered on the White Hills Arch of Triumph at the entrance of the Botanic gardens.
Submitted 18 June 2017 by Jack Coyne
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