Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Kevin was the second son of Elizabeth Ellen and David Leary Corley. born on the 28th July 1914, he lived with his parents and brothers David, Charles (Chilla) and sister Beverley at Crown Road, Gympie. His father worked as a grocer at Cullinanes.
He attended the Convent Christian Brothers, afterwards working at Stuart Tailors at the Five Ways, then the railways for a few years, later joining Sauers as a shop assistant.
Kevin was a good looking bloke and “liked the girls in his youth,” said his brother Chilla.
Kevin was transferred to Stanthorpe where he met his wife Joyce.
They ran a Boarding House, and he continued working for Sauers.
Before enlisting, he had been in the 5th Light Horse for quite a few years.
Two weeks after arriving at Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, in January 1942, he
became a P.O.W., but escaped by hiding in a Plantation owned by Germans.
The Germans notified the Japanese, and a boat came from Rabaul flying the Australian Flag.
The men had been hiding amongst the rubber trees, ran down the beach. Some were bayonetted to death, two escaped, the others were taken prisoner.
His death is recorded 1 July 1942. Kevin aged 31, left behind his wife Joyce and son Kevin (junior).