Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of John Henry and Mary Priestley; husband of Mary Priestley, of Hill St., North Adelaide, South Australia.

IN MEMORY OF THE LOVED HUSBAND AND FATHER OF MARY AND PETER PRIESTLEY

CAPTAIN P. H. PRIESTLEY.
Captain P. H. Priestley, who was second in command of A Squadron of the 3rd Light Horse Regiment of the Australian Imperial Force, has been placed in command of the squadron owing to Major Fulton's promotion. Captain Priestley was born on December 23, 1871. His first commission was as lieutenant of South Australian militia on May 9, 1900. He was transferred to the 16th A.L.H. on July 1, 1903, and appointed captain in the same regiment on  February 1, 1904. His transfer to the 17th A.L.H. occurred on February 2, 1909. Captain Priestley saw active service in South Africa in 1901-2, including operations in Rhodesia, Transvaal. Orange River Colony, and Cane Colony. He gained the Queen's medal with four clasps and the King's with two clasps.

AN ESTEEMED SOLDIER KILLED.
THE LATE MAJOR PRIESTLEY.
It was learned with regret and sorrow et Port Adelaide that Major P. H. Priestley had been killed in action in Palestine. The Major, after his return from  his first experience of active service, was appointed Commanding Officer at Torrens Island, and he carried out his duty there with thoroughness,  although ever longing to get back once more into the fray. During his local service he became a familiar figure at local functions. He took an especial interest in the welfare of the Church of England Seamen's Mission. But he was a broad-minded man, and was often to be seen at meetings and entertainments in connection with the various Protestant churches and the Roman Catholic Church.
A well-known citizen, speaking most appreciatively of his work at Torrens Island said that when he took up duty there he proved himself a soldier and a  gentleman. After the men got to understand that he expected them to abide by military discipline and do their duty, he became verypopular with them.  They soon found that he had their welfare at heart, and they got into the habit of referring to him amongst themselves as "Dad." He joined  with them  in their sports, and treated them with the utmost kindness, looking well after their spiritual, physical, and social welfare. He was always heart and soul  in their concerts, and never happier than when his own men took part in them. He was never absent from their religious services, and was often to be  seen sharing his hymn book with a private. He made every endeavor to influence his men to attend Holy Communion. During his command a model  camp rose up from where a sandhill had been, and also a fine hospital, concert hall, and sports field. At the departure of troopships scores of men who  had been under him sent their respectful wishes to him as they went on board. He was a man who always called a spade a spade, and his whole life could be summed up in the words, "He was a soldier and a gentleman."
The late Major Priestley was always a popular officer. He was second in command of the 3rd Light Horse as far back as September, 1914 with the rank of captain. Not long after that he went to the front and took part in the Gallipoli campaign. He was invalided home, and reached Adelaide in March.  1916, when he related in interesting style the story of the famous landing on the Peninsula, and the not less famous evacuation. While in Monash Valley in May, 1916, he received a bullet wound in the left hand, and was ordered a rest. He did not retire, however, and subsequently he returned to active service with the 8th Light Horse Company. He was born on September 23, 1871, and he received his first military commission, that of lieutenant, in the  South Australian militia, in May, 1900. In July, 1903, he was transferred to the 16th A.L.H. He was on active service in South Africa in 1901 and 1902,  and took part in operations in Rhodesia, Cape Colony, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony, and gained the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and the  King's Medal with two clasps. He was highly esteemed by a wide circle of admirers. Mrs. Priestley has been an active worker in connection with the Cheer-up Society. The deceased officer leaves one son.

Phillip Henry Priestley was born on 23 December 1871 in Adelaide, South Australia.

He saw service as a Lieutenant during the Boer War with the 5th Imperial Bushman's Contingent. His army service after the war was followed by service as an Acting Provost Marshal of the 4th Military District (South Australia) as well as with the South Australian Mounted Rifles, the 16th & 17th Light Horse Brigades and 17 years as Camp Commandant TI Camp. 

An accountant from Grange, South Australia prior to enlistment, Priestley embarked with the rank of Captain with A Squadron, 3rd Light Horse Regiment from Adelaide on HMAT Port Lincoln on 22 October 1914.

Kept in Egypt orginally, the 3rd Light Horse only landed on Gallipoli, without their horses, on 12 May 1915.

12 May - 25 June 1915: Commanding A Squadron, 3rd Light Horse Regiment

26 June - 19 July 1915: Temporarily 2nd in Command of 3rd Light Horse Regiment

20 July -  9 September 1915: Temporarily Commanding Officer of 3rd Light Horse Regiment.

10 September 1915: Temporarily 2nd in Command of 3rd Light Horse Regiment

During his service in Gallipoli he was wounded once in May but recovered and returned to his unit quickly.

After the evacuation of Gallipoli he was also sick in hospitial for a short period of time.

Discharged from AIF in early 1916 due to excessive alcoholism.

In July 1917 he  as secretary, with other committee members organised a Light Horse Reinforcements Re-Union.

In late 1917 he was called up by the AIF for service, as the Light Horse was critically low on experienced officers.

After arriving in the Middle East he was transferred to the 8th Light Horse Regiment with the rank of Major.

He was killed in Action during the Es Salt raids on 3 March 1918.