Henry John Whillance

Name     Henry John Whillance

Number    Private 2558

Battalion      58^th Battalion  

Place of Birth   Orbost

Next of Kin   His father, Mr. R D Whillance Gladston St Orbost

Date and place of enlistment   Melbourne 3/8/1915

Physical details on enlistment   Age 25 years 4 months, 5’ 8”, 11 stone 6 pounds, grey eyes and brown hair

Religion   Presbyterian

Occupation   farm labourer

Date and place of death

He was instantly killed in action when hit in the chest by a piece of shell on 26/3/1917

Location of grave or memorial

He is on the Memorial at Villers Bretonneux France

Relationship to Woorayl Shire

There is no clear connection

Military History

A very confused file as there seems to be two men with this name.

• He is on the Koorooman East Honour Roll
• 3/8/15 He enlisted in Melbourne
• 25/9/16 He embarked on HMAT Shropshire
• 11/11/16 He disembarked in Plymouth
• 8/12/16 He was admitted to hospital
• 17/3/17 He went to his unit
• 26/3/17 He was killed in action
• In his missing and wounded file the report stated that he was hit in the chest with a piece from a shell and died instantly. The witness was E S Dyke
• His parents lived in Orbost
• His effects consisted of a wallet, photos and coins in a pouch
• His parents received his medals and plaque