Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Error in admin of AWM Embarkation stating name PINEY - but papework states PILLEY.

Born: Frederick Cyril PILLEY,  11 November 1895 in Adelaide, South Australia.
(SA Birth Record 1842 - 1906 Book: 574 Page: 227 District: Ade.)

Father  Frederick William PILLEY and  Mother Edith Florence (nee MELVIN).

Mrs Edith Pilley was daughter of the late Mr. William Melvin, of the Supreme Court,
and niece of Mr D. W. Melvin, Auctioneer, and the late Mrs Whiting.

Prior to embarking he lived with his parents at Bernard Street, Claremont, WA.

They later moved to 76 Monmouth Street, North Perth, WA.

Siblings:
Brother   George Colin   (b.  18/12/1896, Adelaide SA - d. 29/9/1964)
              (enlisted under name Colin George Pilley)
Sister      May Irene PILLEY  (b. 27/9/1900, Unley SA - d. ___)

Next of kin in service:
Brother   #2191 Lance Corporal Colin George PILLEY MM
              (he also reverted his names around)
              Enlisted in Perth with 11th Infantry Battalion
              11/6/1915  Embarked from Fremantle, WA
              28/1/1920  returned to Australia on board Donigan Luise
              27/4/1920  discharged from service in AIF

Previous service:
11th Field Ambulance, Fremantle

Described on enlisting as 19 years 2 months old; single; 5' 10 3/4" tall; fair complexion;
blue eyes; fair hair; Baptist.

12/1/1915     Enlisted in Perth, Western Australia

14/1/1915     Depot Company

16/2/1915     Commanding Officer appointed Cyril to 4th reinforcements,
                    11th Infantry Battalion, Blackboy Hill, WA
                    - transferred as Corporal

19/4/1915     Embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire
                    as a Private in the 11th Infantry Battalion, 4th reinforcements

4/6/1915       joined 11th Battalion in Dardanelles, Gallipoli

26/8/1915     sick with dystentry, admitted to 8th Field Ambulance, Gallipoli
                    transferred to Mudros
27/8/1915     admitted to 35th Casualty Clearing Station, Mudros
1/9/1915       admitted to No.2 Auxillary Hospital, Helipolis
22/9/1915     transferred to Ral-El-Lin, Alexandria
24/9/1915     admitted to hospital, Casualty Clearing Ral-El-Lin, Cairo, Egypt

24/11/1915    taken on strength, Cairo

17/12/1915    transferred from 11th Battalion to AIF Headquarters, Cairo

17/12/1915    placed on Supernumeracy List, NCO's Lemnos

11/5/1916     Embarked overseas to join British Expeditionary Forces, ex Alexandria
                    on board Euripides

15/8/1916     Returned to Australia on board HT Marathon from Portland
                    as a Corporal in the 11th Infantry Battalion
24/9/1916     disembarked into Australia - 5MD

19/10/1916    discharged from service in AIF WWI

Medals:
1914-15 Star (491); British War medal (2576); Victory medal (2573)

1920 Married:  Selina Ellen PILLEY (nee Chrystie) - living at 27 Welster Street, Nedlands
                      (b. ____ - d. 11/1/1991, buried with Cyril at Karrakatta Cemetery)

WWII - service # W237686

Worked as a Manager in the Motortrade.
Living at 27 Webster Street, Nedlands, WA.

Described on enlisting as 44 years old; married; 5' 11 3/4" tall; fair complexion;
blue-grey eyes; fair hair; Church of England

24/6/1940     Enlisted in Perth, Western Australia
                    appointed Entertainment Officer, 5 Military District (MD)

17/7/1940     He relinquished the role of Entertainment Officer and was appointed
                    Staff Captain, A Branch, 5MD

19/4/1941     Embarked from Perth, WA
                    as a Lieutenant PSL (Misc)

21/7/1941     Promoted to Temporary Major

20/4/1942     Posted to Canteen Services in appointed of Temporary Officer

1/9/1942       Promoted to Captain

31/12/1942   Appointed Staff officer, Headquarters

16/8/1943     Appointed DAAG(R) WA LofC Area, remaining seconded to 11th Australian
                    Infantry Battalion

27/9/1943     transferred to Australian Defence Canteen Services (ADCS)

1/1/1944       Redesignated Australian Army Canteens Service

10/4/1945     Promoted to Major

11/4/1945     Transferred to the RofO (Australian Infantry) (W.A)

28/3/1949     Placed upon the R.L. (5MD)

WWII Medals:
War medal; ASM

12/6/1960      Cyril passed away (64 years)
cremated in:  Karrakatta Cemetery, Nedlands, WA
                    Crematorium Rose Gardens; Site 6C; Position 0007

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  15/4/2015.  Lest we forget.

Cyril Frederick PILLEY was born on 11th November 1895 in Adelaide, SA

His parents were Frederick Williiam PILLEY and Edith Florence MELVIN

He enlisted  in WW1 in January 1915 with the 11th Battalion - Service No. 1814

Unit embarked from Fremantle, WA on HMAT Argyllshire on 19th April, 1915

He returned to Australia on 15th August, 1916

Cyril also served in WW2 and his brother Colin George PILLEY Service no. 2191 also served in WW1 in the 11th Battalion- he returned to Australia as well

Cyril married Selina E CHRYSTIE in 1920 in WA

He died on 12th June, 1960 aged 64 years and was cremated in Karrakatta Crematorium in WA  - ashes in Rose garden