Military History

To Blackboy Hill with 27th Reinf. /11th Bn.
Embarked from Melbourne per ‘Aeneas’ A60 to UK 27.12.1917.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 27th Reinf. 11th Bn. AIF.
Gillies was hospitalized 3 times at sea, six times, with a syncopal attacks (fainting) and with influenza. He disembarked at Devonport with the 11th Bn. 27.12.1917. He marched in to Sutton Veny to the 2nd Training Battalion 27.12.1917. He was hospitalized twice with influenza and scarlet fever whilst in training camp. After an intensive period of training, he proceeded overseas to France via Folkestone 8.7.1918. He marched in to the Australian Infantry Base Details at Havre 12.7.1918 and then joined the 11th Bn. from the Reinf.18.7.1918 . The 11th Bn. participated in the Allied Offensive east of Amiens on 8th August. (AWM 11th Bn) Gillies was wounded near Amiens, in the field with a GSW to the back 10.8.1918. He was transferred to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station and was transferred by HS ‘St. David’ to England 15.8.1918. Gillies was admitted to Graylingwell Hospital, England, for treatment. His wound was described as a bomb wound (West Australian Newspaper reported wounded 16.9.1918). Gillies was transferred to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield 21.9.1918. He was listed for early return to Australia as an invalid.
Embarked for Australia 18.1.1919 per ‘Ulysses’ wounded.
Disembarked Fremantle 21.2.1919.
Discharged 2.4.1919.
Final Rank Private 11th Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Invalided, bomb wound to back.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Aeneus'. Photograph source State Library NSW image a636033r
             Road to Amiens 1918. Photgrapher unknown, photograph AWM E01952
             Graylingwell Military Hospital. Postcard by Morey Photos, image source Abandoned Britain
             W.R. Gillies. Image source Swan Express 13.9.1918 p2
Information Source
AWM Embarkation Rolls- William Roland Gillies
Graylingwell Military Hospital. Postcard by Morey Photos, source Abandond Britain, http://www.abandoned-britain.com/PP/graylingwell/1.htm
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455 Gillies W R
SLNSW.HMAT 'Aeneus'. Photograph source State Library NSW image a636033r
Swan Express
Wesley Chapel Honour Roll
West Australian Newspaper
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

20(A&B)  Waylen St, Guildford. WA.

Associated Images