British War Medal 1914-20 : Private M Killalea, 34 Battalion, AIF

British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Associated with the service of 3334 Private Myles Dolphin Killalea who was was born in Tumut, New South on 28 June 1899 to parents Thomas and Emily Isabel Ada Killalea. Enlisting in Sydney on 28 June 1917, Killalea joined 34 Battalion and sailed from Sydney on HMAT Port Melbourne on 16 July, arriving in Liverpool two months later. Between 3 and 5 April 1918, Killalea was received severe shrapnel wounds to his hip, pelvis and buttock during the First Battle of Villers Bretonneux. He was evacuated to 2 General Hospital at Le Havre on 6 April but died of his wounds later that day. Killalea is buried at Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France. When enlisting Killalea stated his age as 19 and presented his enlistment papers with his parents¿ signatures. However, his mother later wrote to the Army advising that he had only just turned 18, and requested him to be kept from the firing lines until he turned 19. Unfortunately, before these instructions were put into effect Killalea was wounded and died. His brother, Carrington, who served with 1 Battalion, AIF, died of a head wound received at Pozieres in July 1916.

• Victory Medal : Private M Killalea, 34 Battalion, AIF