The AIF Project

War service: England

Embarked from Melbourne, 19 February 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 25 April 1917. Marched into 10th Training Bn, 25 April 1917. Temporarily attached for duty at Field Post Office, Durrington, 26 August 1917.

Accidentally injured, 20 September 1917. Court of Enquiry, No. 12 Camp, Durrington, 24 September 1917, found that 'the injuries were received whilst in the performance of Military Duty, and he [LYONS] was not to blame for same'. No. 32997 Driver J.H. NOBLE, attached No. 21 Camp Lark Hill, gave evidence: 'On the afternoon of 20th. Sept, 1917, at about 2.30 p.m. I was on duty at the Lark Hill Post Office as sentry. I saw Pte Lyons commence unloading mails from the front of a G.S. Wagon. He then walked about the ledge of the wagon towards the rear and started unloading there. I was standing at ease on my beat and was not taking any notice of the unloading of the mail, when Pte Lyons fell on me and was impaled on my rifle. I did not see how Pte Lyons came to fall. I eased Pte Lyons off my rifle and he was taken charge of by Sgt Thompson. At the time of the accident my bayonet was not fixed. ' Captain L.L. PHILLIPS, RAMC, operated on LYONS on 20 September 1917, and again the following morning. 'Under saline treatment he rallied considerably but during the night gradually sank and died at about 6.20 a.m. on the morning of 22nd Sept. 1917, from peritonitis caused by a wound of the bowel and probably of the base of the bladder also.'

Medal: British War Medal