Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army
 
Trooper Herbert George Milton (Service No. 2049), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque in recognition of their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 20 September 2025, along with a further 161 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
 

Herbert George Milton (Service No. 2049) was born on 22 February 1893 in Brisbane to William Milton and Sarah Milton (née Cater).

On 13 December 1913, Herbert married Cecilia Katherine McKeon in Brisbane, and their son, William, was born in October 1914. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Brisbane on 23 September 1915, stating his occupation as a yardman and naming his wife Cecilia as his next of kin. On 31 January 1916, he embarked for overseas service aboard HMAT Wandilla with the 2nd Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron.

After arrival in Egypt, he was posted through training and reinforcement units associated with the Light Horse and later machine gun formations, serving at camps including Moascar and Cairo.

During his overseas service, Milton experienced repeated episodes of illness that significantly affected his capacity for duty. In August 1916 he was admitted to the 14th Australian General Hospital suffering from diarrhoea, from which he was discharged back to duty later that month. In October 1916 he again became unwell and was admitted to hospital, initially recorded as “N.Y.D.” (not yet diagnosed). From early November 1916 onward, his condition was identified as lumbago, a term commonly used at the time to describe severe or persistent lower back pain.

The lumbago proved recurrent and prolonged. Between November 1916 and April 1917, he was repeatedly admitted to hospital and transferred between medical facilities, including hospitals in Cairo and the Convalescent Depot at Abbassia. His service record shows multiple admissions for lumbago, periods of convalescence, and temporary returns to duty followed by further hospitalisation.

In March 1919, Herbert returned to Australia aboard the troopship Port Sydney, which arrived in Sydney in April. He was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force in June 1919.

While overseas, Herbert was informed by a family member that his wife had given birth to a child during his absence from Australia. As he was on active service at the time, the matter had legal and administrative significance, and he notified military authorities, who suspended her military allotment. After his return to Australia, Herbert commenced divorce proceedings in the Supreme Court of Queensland. The court accepted documentary evidence that an illegitimate child had been registered during his absence and, as the proceedings were uncontested, a decree nisi was granted in September 1919.

On 29 October 1921, Herbert married Lilian Alice Towell. The couple had two children and were recorded as living in Windsor, Brisbane, where Herbert was employed as a labourer.

Trooper Herbert George Milton died on 18 March 1947, aged 54, and was buried in Monumental Portion 1, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. His wife Lilian died in August the following year and was interred with her late husband.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.
We have remembered him.

Lest We Forget.