William Lilley


Jul 2, 1886

Born in Brabourne, Kent, England

 

Oct 20, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 59590 (temporary number 202)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. K Kennard, sister, c/o Cpl Kennard, RCHA

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “B” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “A” Company

The 21st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

May 25, 1915

Sentenced to 7 days detention for being absent for 3 days

 

Jun 21, 1915

Forfeited 2 days pay for being absent from camp

 

Aug 4, 1915

Forfeited 3 days pay for being absent

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

Mar 27, 1916

Granted leave until April 4, 1916

 

Apr 25, 1916

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Sprained Left Ankle.  Transferred the same day to the Division Rest Station at No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance

 

Apr 28, 1916

Transferred to the No. 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

Apr 30, 1916

Transferred via the No. 24 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne, France

 

May 8, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and joined the Base Depot in Boulogne

 

May 13, 1916

Joined the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

 

May 23, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Lilley rejoined the 21st Battalion resting in the “B” Camp near Dickebusch, Belgium

 

Jun 27, 1916

While in the front line near Hill 60 in Belgium, the battalion came under an artillery barrage from the enemy at 5.30 am and Private Lilley was peering through a trench periscope when he received shrapnel wounds to his face, near his eyes.  He was evacuated to the Canadian Field Ambulance, before being transported to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station where a piece of shrapnel was removed. 

 

Jun 28, 1916

He was quickly transported to the No. 13 Stationary Hospital in Boulogne, France for treatment

 

Jun 29, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St Patrick

 

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Royal Victoria Military Hospital in Netley

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Jul 8, 1916

Another piece of shrapnel was removed from his right eye lid

 

Jul 13, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bearwood Park, Wokingham

 

Jul 18, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Folkestone

Medical Board declares him healed and fit for duty

 

Jul 20, 1916

Transferred to the 39th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling

 

Aug 6, 1916

Sentenced to 5 days Field Punishment No. 2 for being absent for 2 days

 

Aug 17, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Aug 18, 1916

Arrived at the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 128 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Aug 29, 1916

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in the Halifax Camp, near Brandhoek, Belgium as part of a draft of 29 reinforcements destined to join the 21st Battalion

 

Aug 31, 1916

Sentenced to 8 days Field Punishment No. 1 for falling out of line of march without permission

 

Sep 17, 1916

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Lilley rejoined the 21st Battalion involved in heavy fighting while attacking the Sunken Road east of the sugar factory, south of Courcelette, France

 

Nov 2, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

 

May 5, 1918

Placed under a stoppage of pay and ordered to have 15¢ per day deducted for support of his illegitimate child

This payment was made to May Louisa Gower, Spring Cottage, Smeeth, Kent, England.  Note that this is about a ½ kilometer from his home of Brabourne Lees

 

Nov 3, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

 

Nov 20, 1918

Rejoined the battalion in Thieu, Belgium, from leave.  The battalion was in the process of marching to Germany

 

Dec 13, 1918

The 21st Battalion crossed the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force.

 

Once in Germany, the battalion proceeded to Seigburg

 

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France

 

On arrival in England, he proceeded to Witley and attached to “P” Wing for processing pending return to Canada

 

Apr 20, 1919

Attached to No. 2 CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in London pending discharge in the UK

 

Apr 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in London, England

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Brabourne Lees, Kent, England

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Brabourne Lees, Kent, England

 


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