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Topic: Charles Walter Allan Lilley (1897-1918)
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Omanawa mill hand Charles Walter Allan Lilley was killed in action at Le Cateau in France on 1 October 1918. Story by Debbie McCauley.
Charles Walter Allan Lilley was born in Dannevirke on 26 May 1897 (folio No. 1897/2599). His parents were Walter and Jane Allan Watt Lilley (nee McKinven) who married in Napier on 6 February 1891.
Charles worked as a mill hand for Gamman's Mill at Omanawa Falls in Tauranga. He was also a member of the 6th Hauraki's.
Charles enlisted to fight during World War I on 1 October of 1916, as part of the 22nd Reinforcements. With him were his brother Herbert James Allan Lilley (1893-1951) and friend John Ellison (1881-1918) who would later marry his sister Florence Jane Elizabeth Allan Lilley (1894-1965) whilst on leave on 3 January 1917.
Before departing for Trentham a social at the Omanawa school house was held for the three men. A large crowd gathered and enjoyed music and dancing until midnight. Presentations were made at supper with each man receiving a watch and hearty applause.
Charles served with the Auckland Infantry Regiment, Ist Battalion (Service No: 38414).
Lance Corporal Charles Walter Allan Lilley was killed in action at Le Cateau in France on 1 October 1918, aged 21. He is remembered on the Grevillers (New Zealand) Memorial in the Grevillers British Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France.
Charles's medals were sent to his father Walter at Omanawa Falls in Tauranga.
For more information about the Lilley family see the page on Private John Ellison.
References:
Ancestry.com.
Archives New Zealand: Military personnel file.
Auckland War Memorial Museum: Cenotaph Record.
Births, Deaths & Marriages Online (New Zealand).
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A version of this article was archived in August 2016 at Perma CC https://perma.cc/H78A-KQY7
Walter Lilley
