Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

David Mills was born on 26 October 1891 at Mirboo North, Victoria, the third and youngest son of James and Margaret Mills. David’s father died when he was about seven years old, but he was described as being “of a most cheerful disposition, and had a smile for everyone at all times”.

Mills enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force as soon as possible after the outbreak of war in 1914. He was accepted for active service, and went into camp at Broadmeadows to begin training. Shortly afterwards, however, he came down with the flu and became so sick that he was forced to see a doctor, who discharged him as medically unfit and sent him home. Mills reportedly returned home “ill and very dejected”, but as soon as he had recovered, he enlisted again. Probably the reason he appears to have been allocated 2 service numbers, the first being 1167 and the second 1148.

Mills again began training in Australia with the 8th Battalion, and left for active service overseas with the Second Contingent. He wrote regular letters home to his family and friends, eventually with the news that he was leaving for the Dardanelles. In some of his last letters he wrote that “he felt certain he was going to his death”.

Mills scribbled in his pocket diary 24 April 1915:

“Left Lemnos island yesterday for ‘The Narrows’ of the Dardanelles … Parade after breakfast with full equipment, got orders to take off our numerals ‘8’ and ‘INF’ badges so as not to be identified by the Turks as belonging to any certain Company and thereby give away our strength.”

On 25 April 1915 the 8th Battalion went ashore on Gallipoli in the early hours of the morning.

Sometime that morning he managed to quickly scrawl:

“Landing under fire – like some monster fireworks. The battleships sending over their ‘Jack Johnsons’ roaring into the enemy. Shells are screaming everywhere, ‘Lizzie’ is tearing the very earth to shreds. I have kissed dear little Nan’s photo goodbye. May God have mercy on my soul and care for them I have left behind.

XXXXXXXX

What a Sunday.”

No more was heard of Private Mills until late May, when Margaret Mills was informed that her son had been killed in action. Rumours began to circulate as to how Mills met his death. Some said he was shot during the landing; others that he had been killed by an artillery shell. In September 1915 Private Donald Campigli of Williamstown returned to Australia and was able to shed light on what had happened.

Private Campigli told how shortly after the landing he was in Shrapnel Gully and could hear wounded men crying out for water. He asked if he could go out and help them but was refused permission. Campigli said his commanding officer “turned away, and while he was doing something a few yards away, I jumped over the parapet and went out … A fellow asked me for a drink of water. I gave him my bottle. He was shot through the back and could not move. I got him on my back and brought him within five or six yards of the trench, where he was shot a second time … I was taking him further to the rear when he was again shot, and this time the wound was fatal.” Campigli, who was later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions, found out that man was Private David Mills.

“Waiting awhile beside him, I went through his pockets (which, of course is customary on the battlefield), and after getting his pay book, identity disc, and a few odds and ends which were not much value, I left him and took the mentioned things to headquarters.”

Mrs. Mills received his identity disc, notebook and some photographs.

Mills’ body was lost in the confusion of the early days at Anzac Cove, and today he has no known burial place. He was 23 years old.