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)

'QUEENSLAND CASUALTIES.

ANOTHER LETTER FROM THE FRONT.

Following on the letter received from Sergeant Berry (whose brother was shot together with several others), the following from Private D. R. Lilley, a brother of Private W. Lilley (who also was shot) has a sad interest. It is dated Newcastle, and reads:

Dear Father and Mother,- I am here, and I shall fight or die for Willie's sake. He died like a hero. He was the second shot down; they shot them within twenty yards of each other. There were two others fell within three yards of him, and then nearly all the rest were captured. "Hands up, you khaki b-s, or we will shoot you," they cried. Major Valantyne was killed. He was riddled with bullets, and we had to fight hard to save our pom-pom. The Boers were within twenty yards of the gun. It was nothing but murder. But never mind, dear father and mother, poor Willie had no pain; he just looked as if he was asleep in peace. If I have luck I shall come home; but I am wild, and must fight to avenge my dear brother.' from The Brisbane Courier 20 Feb 1902 (nla.gov.au)

'FUNERAL NOTICE.

LILLEY, David Robert, Bentick-street, Sherwood.— The Relatives and Friends of Mrs. F. D. Lilley, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Lilley, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Fryer, Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Lilley, and Families, are respectfully informed of the death of her beloved Husband, her Father, Father-in-law and Grandfather. The Funeral is appointed to leave the Parlour, 400 Wickham-street, To-day (Tuesday), at 11 a.m., for Mt. Thompson Crematorium.' from Queensland Times 27 Nov 1951 (nla.gov.au)