Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

'Only One Brother Returned from the Boer War. 

Two Lilley brothers, William and Dave, joined the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen to fight in the Boer War but only one of them returned.

Both brothers were popular with their colleagues, William being a private and Dave, the older brother, an acting Corporal. In fact because William was only 17 when he enlisted, Dave was encouraged by his parents to enlist as well to "keep an eye on William" READ MORE (anzacportal.dva.gov.au)

'Fifth Contingent.

PRIVATE W. LILLEY KILLED. SHOT AT 20 YARDS.

The following is an extract of a letter received by the parents of Private D. R. Lilley, of the fifth Queensland contingent, concerning the death of Private William Lilley (his brother) : —

"Newcastle.
"We have had plenty of fighting of Iate, and a very hard time of it. We have had a lot of casualties in our column. On January 4 we had a big fight, our losses being very heavy. Fifth Queensland I.B. had 12 killed and 22 wounded : M.I. 7 killed, 2 wounded; the New Zealanders, 1 killed, 4 wounded : the Victorians, 2 wounded. It is hard to say poor Willie was among the dead. He was shot through the heart, and never moved after he fell. I came out all right. They were shooting one another at 5 yards. The Boers were the heaviest losers. Willie died like a hero. They shot him from 20 yards. Two others fell within three yards of him, and then nearly all the rest were captured. Major Valantyne was killed. He was riddled with bullets. We had to fight hard to save our pom-pom. The Boers were within 70 yards of the gun. It was nothing but murder. Poor Willie had no pain. He just looked as if he were asleep in peace." from The Brisbane Telegraph 18 Feb 1902 (nla.gov.au)

'FALLEN QUEENSLANDERS.

PRIVATE WILLIAM LILLEY OF REDBANK, AMONG THE FALLEN.

The last letter Mrs, Lilley received from her late son William was under date Elandsberg Ranges, December 24, written In a very sheerful strain, and from which we are permitted to make the following extracts:- "We are having a pretty hard time just now, as our horses are knocked up, but it is understood that fresh horses are on the way for us. We cannot do much until they arrive. We have had a good 'cut' at Botha, and for about an hour the bullet came down as thick as a shower of rain. There were 11 of our men wounded and one killed. We had another 'go in' yesterday. We had six guns, three poms-poms,and two Maxims on the job, and I can assure you the Boers 'went' very smartly. We knocked a few of them over, however.

The Boers shot a fine grey horse of mine the other day. We galloped into Botha's laager before we saw them. We had been marching all night and were pretty sleepy. It was just breaking daylight when the enemy's firing woke us up, but nevertheless we shook the laager up. As I have already stated, we got within 200 yards of them before we saw the Boers. So we immediately dismounted and 'got to' them in qulck-time. We did not stop there too long, as there were about 700 Boers to 25 of us. Our officer gave us the order to retire on the next hill, but just as I was getting on may horse a bullet went though my hat and thense into my horse's head, killing the 'nag' on the spot. The Boers galloped after us, firing off their horses. I lost no time in getting behind another man, and we made a bee-line for the next hill as fast as the horse could gallop. Gaining cover, we gave the Boers a hot time."

The late Private William Lilley was a most determined and courageous young fellow, who did not know what fear was, and his conduct when on active duty was greatly admired by his superior officers. Mrs. Lilley, who naturally faces the lo s of her son very keenly, has received numerous expressions of sympathy since it became known that he was killed while bravely fighting the Empire's cause in South Africa, and at Goodna, when the news became known, a number of flags were hoisted at half-mast as a token of regard for the late Private William Lilley.' from Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser 20 Feb 1902 (nla.gov.au)

'THE DISASTER TO THE FIFTH.

FROM CAPTAIN C. G. GEHRMANN.

A letter has been received by Mr. J. Lilley, of Redbank, from Captain C. G. Gehrmann, 5th Q.I.B. Contingent, relative to the recent disaster to the 5th at Onverwacht. Writing from Charleston, Natal, on the 31st January, he says, "It is with great regret that I have to write you on so sad a matter. No doubt by now you have been advised officially, and Dave will have written too. Your son (Private W. Lilley, No. 127) met his death bravely in an engagement on the 4th January, when our regiment suffered very severely. He was one of my best men, and was the life of his troop. His death has cast quite a gloom over us. His cheerful manner made him a favourite with all. Although not present myself at the time of his death, his conduct on the field was a lesson many a man could follow." from The Brisbane Courier 15 Mar 1902 (nla.gov.au)

'IN MEMORIAM.

LILLEY.—In fond and loving remembrance of our dearly-beloved son, Private William Lilley, late of Redbank, who was killed while doing his country's work at Onverwacht, South Africa, January 4th, 1902.

Short was the call he had from above,
Not a word to his loved ones could say ;
His eyes closed in death like a babe in his sleep,
As he peacefully passed away.

Sad are the hours and lonely we feel
Since our dear one has gone;
We fancy we see him—it cannot be real
That he has vanished and left us alone.

[Inserted by his loving father and mother.]

LILLEY.—In fond and loving remembrance of our dearly-beloved brother, Private William Lilley, who was killed in South Africa while doing his country's work, January 4th, 1902.

Dearest brother, thou hast left us,
Thou dost dwell with angels now,
And a wreath of glory priceless
Sparkles on thy shining brow.

Although we did not clasp your hand,
Your face we did not see,
Yet let this little token tell
We still remember thee.

[Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Edith and Robert A. Cross.]

LILLEY.—In loving memory of William Lilley, who was killed at Onverwacht, South Africa, January 4th, 1902.

One year has passed away, dear brother.
No more thy face we'll see;
But with a sister's dearest love
My memory clings to thee.

We never can forget you,
Whate'er our lot may be;
In sadness or in joy, dear brother,
My heart will be with thee.

[Inserted by his loving sister, Eunice, and
brother-in-law, J. Edwin Bache, Goodna.]

LILLEY.—In fond and loving remembrance of our dearly-beloved brother, Willie, who was killed while fighting for his King and country.

Bright and merry was thy lifetime,
Christ has died and set thee free;
Wait a little, dear brother,
And we soon shall follow thee.

[Inserted by his loving brothers.]' from Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser 3 Jan 1903 (nla.gov.au)